Best-value Colleges in Colorado

Though it’s not a household name, the Centennial State’s Colorado School of Mines is frequently ranked highly in terms of 20-year net ROI, making it one of the highest-ranked public colleges in the country. Founded in 1873, all three of the Golden, Colorado, school’s colleges revolve around engineering and the applied sciences, so it’s no wonder that a school with such a strong science, technology, engineering and math focus does so well in our rankings. If that’s in your area of interest, it’s a worthwhile school to consider even if you have to pay the higher out-of-state tuition.

Located in the famously eclectic and hip city of Boulder, the University of Colorado is regarded as a “Public Ivy,” meaning it delivers the quality of education found in the Ivy League even though it’s a (much more affordable) public school. More than 150 academic programs are offered at the school, with aerospace engineering, the entrepreneurship program and the environmental engineering program being among the most prestigious. Interestingly enough, UCB ranks fourth in terms of the number of astronauts it has produced.

With eight colleges offering a variety of programs — most notable among them including engineering, biomedical sciences and environmental science — Colorado State University, or CSU, is another great choice for students. Located in central Fort Collins in the foothills of the Rockies, the school has produced many notable alumni, including two former Colorado governors, several astronauts and a few Pulitzer Prize winners.