2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado
When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking is part of that endeavor.
We analyzed 29 colleges and universities across Colorado to determine which were the best for veterans and active service members. To come up with this ranking, we look at more than 20 factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, whether or not the school has a student's veteran organization, and the school's overall quality.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Colorado
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our analysis found University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to be the best school for veterans in Colorado in this year’s ranking. UCCS is a fairly large public school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 2,618 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 12,380 students enrolled at UCCS, 2,040 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,416 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,383. During this same period, 21 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Out of the 29 schools in Colorado that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #2 spot on the list. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7,745 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Our most recent data shows that 1,706 of the 32,428 students enrolled at Colorado State were GI Bill® students, of which 1,344 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,826. To help with additional expenses, 70 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Colorado State also took the #5 spot in our Best Schools in Colorado rankings.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Regis University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Colorado. Regis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 2,066 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 503 of the 6,310 students enrolled at Regis U were GI Bill® students, of which 424 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,923. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
A rank of #4 on our Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list means University of Colorado Boulder is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Boulder, Colorado, the large public school awarded 9,622 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, CU - Boulder supports 37,437 students, and 1,325 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1,066 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $14,873. On top of their other funding sources, 55 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. CU - Boulder does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. CU - Boulder did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Schools in Colorado list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,396 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 24,723 students enrolled at CU Anschutz, 1,080 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 880 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,008. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. CU Anschutz excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Colorado list.
With a ranking of #6, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Greeley, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,199 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 11,460 students enrolled at University of Northern Colorado, 369 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 251 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,283. During this same period, 24 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
University of Denver came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4,002 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 13,856 students enrolled at DU, 531 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 436 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $17,641. To help with additional expenses, 125 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, DU also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Colorado ranking.
With a ranking of #8, Colorado School of Mines did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Mines is a medium-sized public school situated in Golden, Colorado. It awarded 1,581 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 6,744 students enrolled at Mines, 243 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 182 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,832. Mines does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Mines is ranked #1 for overall quality in Colorado.
Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #9. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,405 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 19,086 students enrolled at MSU Denver, 1,245 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,024 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,756. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Arapahoe Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking. Located in Littleton, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 716 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 12,001 students enrolled at Arapahoe Community College, 296 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 256 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,776. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Colorado Christian University landed the #11 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking. Colorado Christian University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Lakewood, Colorado that handed out 1,289 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 7,839 students enrolled at CCU, 641 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 579 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,397. During this same period, 18 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #12, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized public school situated in Pueblo, Colorado. It awarded 808 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 417 of the 5,925 students enrolled at Colorado State University - Pueblo were GI Bill® students, of which 228 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,927. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #13, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Colorado Mesa is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Junction, Colorado. It awarded 1,497 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 9,110 students enrolled at Colorado Mesa, 452 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 297 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,757. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Adams State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Adams State University is a small public school located in Alamosa, Colorado that handed out 988 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Adams State supports 3,164 students, and 148 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 130 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,949. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Front Range Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking. FRCC is located in Westminster, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,713 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the 18,703 students enrolled at FRCC, 374 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 331 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,595. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs ranked #16 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,508 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs supports 28,244 students, and 3,649 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 2,926 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,475. In addition to receiving other benefits, 25 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs
Naropa University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 297 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 855 students enrolled at Naropa, 45 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 41 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $16,325. During this same period, 25 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Johnson & Wales University - Denver did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Denver, Colorado, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 278 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, JWU Denver supports 397 students, and 102 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 76 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,866. On top of their other funding sources, 17 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. JWU Denver does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
With a ranking of #19, Aims Community College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Aims Community College is located in Greeley, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 648 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 5,981 students enrolled at Aims Community College, 242 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 208 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,668. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Trinidad State Junior College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Trinidad, Colorado, the small public school handed out 273 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Trinidad State Junior College supports 1,404 students, and 28 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 26 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,893. During this same period, 6 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Morgan Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado list. Located in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the small public school awarded 121 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Morgan Community College supports 1,376 students, and 15 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 9 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,923. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking. Located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 723 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Colorado Mountain College supports 5,315 students, and 107 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 90 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,128. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Fort Lewis College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Durango, Colorado, the small public school awarded 643 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 3,469 students enrolled at FLC, 96 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,703. In addition to receiving other benefits, 13 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Colorado College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #24. Colorado College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that handed out 570 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,050 students enrolled at Colorado College, 11 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,072. During this same period, 5 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Colorado College also took the #2 spot in our Best Schools in Colorado rankings.
Colorado Northwestern Community College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Colorado ranking, coming in at #25. CNCC is a small public school situated in Rangely, Colorado. It awarded 128 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, CNCC supports 993 students, and 31 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 30 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,008. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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