A Quick Reference Guide to Colorado's Colleges and Universities

The upcoming academic year is already on people’s minds, especially if you’re an incoming high school senior. While families soak up the sun at the pool, students around the country are beginning to wade through mountains of information that accompany a fresh college-application cycle. On August 1, the floodgates will officially open as the 2019 Common Application—a nonprofit that streamlines the process for nearly 900 higher education institutions—and hundreds of other college applications go live. In short, it can be overwhelming.

To help relieve some of the initial stress, we’ve compiled a reference list for Colorado’s four-year public and private colleges and universities. While the best way to get to know a university’s vibe will always be to visit the campus personally, if you’re considering spending the next four years in the Centennial State, here’s a quick overview of what you need to know.

Public Colleges and Universities

University of Colorado

University of Colorado Boulder campus aerial view. Courtesy of University of Colorado Boulder

Location: Boulder (with additional campuses in Denver and Colorado Springs)
Undergraduate Population: 29,091
Annual Tuition: In state: $12,534 | Out of state: $37,288
Average Financial Aid Package: $11,091
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division I
Where to Apply: Common Application
Application Fee: Domestic: $50 | International: $70
Application Deadlines: November 15, early action | January 15, regular decision

Colorado State University

Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Courtesy of Colorado State University

Location: Fort Collins (with a satellite campus in Pueblo)
Undergraduate Population: 25,903
Tuition: In state: $11,982 | Out of state: $29,884
Average Financial Aid Package: $8,223
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division I
Where to Apply: Common Application or CSU online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $50 | International: $55
Application Deadlines: December 1, early action | February 1, regular decision

Metropolitan State University

Student athletes play soccer on the MSU sport fields. Courtesy of Metro State University

Location: Denver
Undergraduate Population: 20,304
Tuition: In state: $7,325 | Out of state: $20,149
Average Financial Aid Package: $6,697
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: MSU online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $25
Application Deadline: July 1

University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado campus. Courtesy of University of Northern Colorado

Location: Greeley
Undergraduate Population: 9,977
Tuition: In state: $9,545 | Out of state: $21,131
Average Financial Aid Package: $7,228
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division I
Where to Apply: Common Application or UNC application
Application Fee: Domestic: $50 | International: $60
Application Deadline: August 1

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University campus. Courtesy of Colorado Mesa University

Location: Grand Junction
Undergraduate Population: 9,459
Tuition: In state: $9,243 | Out of state: $22,440
Average Financial Aid Package: $6,936
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: Mesa application
Application Fee: Domestic: $30 | International: $30
Application Deadline: Rolling admission

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines campus. Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines

Location: Golden
Undergraduate Population: 4,794
Tuition: In State: $16,650 | Out of state: $37,350
Average Financial Aid Package: $6,309
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: CSM online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $45 | International: $50
Application Deadline: Rolling admission

United States Air Force Academy

Now considered an icon, the Air Force Academy’s chapel was once dismissed as a “glassified box on stilts” by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Courtesy of VisitCOS.com

Location: Colorado Springs
Undergraduate Population: 4,276
Tuition: No cost with admission
Average Financial Aid Package: N/A
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required and additional tests
NCAA Division: Division I
Where to Apply: USAFA online application
Application Fee: N/A
Application Deadline: Special rolling admission policy

Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis campus. Courtesy of Fort Lewis

Location: Durango
Undergraduate Population: 3,299
Tuition: In state: $7,056 | Out of state: $17,712
Average Financial Aid Package: $5,226
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: Fort Lewis online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $40 | International: $40
Application Deadline: August 1

Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University campus. Courtesy of Western Colorado University

Location: Gunnison
Undergraduate Population: 2,612
Tuition: In state: $10,436 | Out of state: $21,908
Average Financial Aid Package: $8,821
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: Common Application or WCU online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $30 | International: $50
Application Deadline: Rolling admission

Adams State University

Adams State University campus. Courtesy of Adams State

Location: Alamosa
Undergraduate Population: 1,710
Tuition: In state: $9,440 | Out of state: $20,456
Average Financial Aid Package: $12,000
Testing Requirements: ACT and SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: Adams State online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $30 | International: $30
Application Deadline: Rolling admission

Private Colleges and Universities

Colorado College

Colorado College’s Cutler Quad. Courtesy of Colorado College

Location: Colorado Springs
Undergraduate Population: 2,114
Tuition: $57,612
Average Financial Aid Package: $49,251
Testing Requirements: Flexible Testing Policy
NCAA Division: Division I Men’s Hockey and Women’s Soccer and Division III
Where to Apply: Common Application, Coalition Application, Questbridge Application
Application Fee: Domestic: $60 | International: $60
Application Deadlines: November 1, early decision/action | January 15, regular decision

University of Denver

The University of Denver campus

Location: Denver
Undergraduate Population: 5,801
Tuition: $51,336
Average Financial Aid Package: $34,077
Testing Requirements: Test Optional Policy
NCAA Division: Division I
Where to Apply: Common Application or DU online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $65 | International: $65
Application Deadlines: November 1, early decision/action | January 15, regular decision

Regis University

Regis University campus. Courtesy of Regis University

Location: Denver
Undergraduate Population: 3,874
Tuition: $36,810
Average Financial Aid Package: $20,657
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: Common Application or Regis online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $40 | International: $40
Application Deadline: Rolling admission with April 15 priority deadline

Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University campus. Courtesy of Colorado Christian University

Location: Lakewood
Undergraduate Population: 1,393
Tuition: $30,370
Average Financial Aid Package: $22,000
Testing Requirements: ACT or SAT scores required
NCAA Division: Division II
Where to Apply: CCU online application
Application Fee: Domestic: $50 | International: $50
Application Deadline: Rolling admission

Johnson & Wales University

Courtesy of Johnson & Wales University

Location: Denver
Undergraduate Population: 1,008 Students
Annual Tuition: $33,054
Testing Requirements: Optional (ACT or SAT scores considered if submitted but not required.)
NCAA Division: Division III
Where to Apply: JWU application or Common Application
Application Fee: None
Application Deadlines: November 1, early action, then rolling admission

Naropa University

Location: Boulder
Undergraduate Population: 409
Tuition: 31,790
Average Financial Aid Package: $31,584
Testing Requirements: N/A
NCAA Division: N/A
Where to Apply: Common Application or Naropa website
Application Fee: $25
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. Courtesy of RMCAD

Location: Lakewood
Undergraduate Enrollment: Approximately 700 (on campus)
Annual Tuition: $518 per credit hour online; $660 per credit hour on campus
Testing Requirements: None required
NCAA Division: N/A
Where to Apply: RMCAD website
Application Fee: $50
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

A Quick Reference Guide to Colorado’s Colleges and Universities