Accredited colleges and universities have had their educational programs and faculty evaluated by an outside agency. Those agencies ensure that the school provides a high-quality education to its students, so to have your degree recognized by employers, it’s critical to attend an accredited institution. Below you’ll find information on higher education in the state and helpful resources on online colleges in Colorado.
- School Search
- Accreditation Agencies
- Education Links
- Notable Schools
School Search
Accredited Online Colleges Database
Accreditation Agencies
The following agencies accredit schools in Colorado. However, it’s important to understand that this list only includes institution-wide accreditors, rather than agencies that only award program-specific accreditation. For details on program-specific accreditation, look through our subject pages.
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCAHLC)
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Higher Education Links
For more information about higher education reforms and propositions in the state, visit the state’s higher education boards and council websites. In addition, contact them or individual schools for more general college and university information.
Notable Schools
Picking a school can be a daunting task, especially when considering the sheer number of institutions there are in the state. Our database below can help with narrowing down your options for online colleges in Colorado. In addition, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most notable accredited online and campus-based schools in the state to help you begin your school search.
Public
Colorado, along with its geographical wonders, world class skiing, and tremendous diversity, is home to several large and distinguished public universities. Learn more about some of them below.
University of Colorado at Boulder
Boulder
UC Boulder is one of only 34 public institutions in the US belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) – the only member in the Rocky Mountain region. The university boasts five Nobel laureates and has produced more than 50 graduates who have gone on to grace the faculties of various universities.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins
U.S. News and World Report states that Colorado State University is “considered one of the leading research universities, and faculty and students work together to explore fields such as atmospheric science, infectious diseases, clean energy technologies, and environmental science.” The 2013 Academic Ranking of World Universities ranks CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences in the top 10 percent in the world, and GI Jobs magazine has named CSU a Military Friendly School, in the company of the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools worldwide.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver
Founded in the 1960s, this university takes a much more modern, focused approach than more traditional universities. With most of the student body living and working in Denver, the school’s focus is decidedly local. Well-equipped to handle nontraditional students with family and work obligations, the school prioritized their students’ success under challenging conditions, with attention to such things as small class size.
Private
Colorado is home to some of the most innovative private programs in the US. We’ve identified three standout programs.
Colorado Technical University Online
Colorado Springs
One of the largest universities in Colorado, period, this university is entirely online. The Military Times ranks this school number one for veterans, and both GI Jobs Magazine and Military Advanced Education also rank CTU highly. Diverse Issues in Higher Education recognizes the CTU online program as one of the top ten for minority students.
University of Denver
Denver
Somewhat like its public counterpart in Denver, the University of Denver is very focused on offering a wide variety of options for an increasingly diverse student body. With more than 200 distinct programs from more traditional BAs to online, dual degree, and certificate programs designed with working professionals in mind, this school aims to provide both a classic collegiate experience and an urban professional haven. University of Denver also provides a number of study abroad opportunities and an unusually low student to faculty ratio of 8.3 to 1.
Colorado College
Colorado Springs
Colorado College runs on the “block plan,” where you take one class at a time for 3 ½ intensive weeks of study with a four day break in between the 32 class blocks. In this way the college hopes to help students foster a better learning environment in very small, discussion-based classes in which students can pursue their current interests to a fuller extent.