If you’re considering getting an online degree, this list will help you find the best accredited colleges in Colorado. The best virtual schools in Colorado are accredited, which guarantees that the education they can give you meets national standards.
In this article, we cover the best online colleges in Colorado, what degree programs they offer, and which online schools in Colorado are the most affordable and accessible for prospective students. If you’re looking at schools in Colorado with an emphasis on online programs, this is the article for you.
Fully Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado: Two Types of Accreditation
Online colleges in Colorado and the rest of the US are either nationally or regionally accredited. The next two sections explain the difference between both types of accreditation and why it’s important to verify an institution’s accreditation status during your school search.
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges
Regional accreditation is the most widely recognized kind of accreditation. Regionally accredited online colleges are usually non-profit institutions with higher admission standards. Credits from these schools are accepted and recognized at both regionally and nationally accredited schools.
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
Nationally accredited online colleges are usually vocational, religious, or industry-specific schools that require specific kinds of licensure. These schools often cost less and operate under a for-profit model. Credits from a nationally accredited school are recognized by other nationally accredited schools but are not usually recognized by regionally accredited schools.
Why Is Accreditation Important for College?
Accreditation is important for college because it guarantees that the programs offered are high-quality and up to academic standards. It also means that the school itself is credible and provides trustworthy information as well as a worthwhile educational experience.
How to Find an Accredited Online College in Colorado
You can find out whether an online college in Colorado is accredited by checking the US Department of Education Database, searching for colleges on the regional accrediting agency website, or visiting the school’s website.
Check the US Department of Education’s Database
You can check a school’s accreditation status by searching the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIC). When you find the online school you’re looking for, click on it to open a new page with basic information. There, under the “Institutional Accreditation” tab, you can see which agency accredited an online school.
Search for Colleges on the Regional Accrediting Agency’s Website
There are six different regional accrediting agencies in the US. Online colleges in Colorado are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). To quickly find out if any online schools in Colorado are accredited by the HLC, you can go onto their website and search institutions by state.
Visit the School’s Official Website
Schools need to display their accreditation status. A school’s accreditation information is usually easy to find on its official website, usually in the “About” section. Some schools, like CSU Global, have a separate page dedicated to their accreditation status.
Top 10 Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado: Overview
| Ranking | Online College | Accreditation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Mines | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 78% |
| 2 | University of Denver | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 74% |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 69% |
| 4 | Regis University | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 59% |
| 5 | University of Northern Colorado | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 52% |
| 6 | Colorado State University-Global Campus | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 46% |
| 7 | Colorado State University-Pueblo | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 39% |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 37% |
| 9 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 36% |
| 10 | Colorado Christian University | Higher Learning Commission (Regional) | 33% |
How We Ranked the Best Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado
We ranked the best accredited online colleges in Colorado by looking at the graduation rates of various institutions that offer fully online degree programs. The information in the table above comes from the schools’ official websites, the US Department of Education’s database of accredited schools, and the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard tool.
Best Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado: Deep Dive
The following sections list the 10 best accredited online colleges in Colorado. This overview covers general information about the school as well as the five best online degree and certificate programs each school has to offer. These school rankings will help guide prospective students looking for the best accredited online programs in Colorado.
What Is the Easiest Online College That Is Accredited in Colorado?
The easiest online college that is accredited in Colorado is the University of Denver. The University of Denver has the second-highest graduation rate in the above list at 74 percent. While some courses are bound to be harder than others, a high graduation rate indicates that most students can easily complete a school’s programs.
The University of Denver also enables student success through resources like internship programs, research initiatives, job placement and networking programs, and career advising specialists. Even when enrolled online, students who live close to campus can benefit from career services, the writing center, and the Anderson Academic Commons library.
What Is the Cheapest Accredited Online College in Colorado?
The cheapest accredited online college in Colorado is Colorado State University-Global Campus. As a non-profit, online public school, CSU-Global offers very affordable tuition rates. Students pay an average annual tuition of $8,700. Undergraduate students pay $8,400, while graduates pay $9,000.
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This school also charges no student fees. There are no out-of-state fees or tuition rates, athletic fees, per-credit fees, or any other charges. Also, tuition at CSU Global is locked in and guaranteed to remain the same as long as the students are enrolled and in good standing.
Are There Free Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado?
No, there are no free accredited online colleges in Colorado. However, as noted in the previous section, affordable colleges in Colorado with online programs can be easy to find. To reduce the costs of attending college you can apply for federal funding, grants, and scholarships.
If you have your heart set on learning for free, you can try using online resources like MIT OpenCourseWare. This is a free and open collection of material from MIT courses across the entire MIT curriculum. You don’t get any certification from these types of online resources, but they’re still a good option for learning new skills. However, the benefits of enrolling in an accredited online college are far greater.
Why Choose an Accredited Online College in Colorado?
You should choose an accredited online college in Colorado because accreditation denotes quality and credibility. An accredited college’s programs are accepted and respected by any potential employer. Accredited schools are also the only schools that offer financial aid options.
Quality and Credibility
Accredited online colleges follow a set of national regulations that guarantee the highest quality and credibility when it comes to their programs. These are always taught by expert leaders in their field, meaning that students get to learn from trustworthy sources.
Respectability
Any degree program obtained from an accredited online school will always be respected by any potential employer. They’ll know that the person they’re hiring has acquired a valuable set of skills necessary for the job.
Financial Aid Availability
Students attending an accredited online school can apply for federal aid or loans to help pay for their studies. As long as they can provide proof of financial need, they can obtain financial aid while enrolled in any program.
Most Affordable Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado
The most affordable accredited online colleges in Colorado are Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University Global Campus, and Pueblo. The University of Northern Colorado and the Metropolitan State University of Denver are also included in this list.
- Colorado Mesa University | Tuition: $332/Credit. This school offers programs in social sciences, nursing, education, healthcare, business, and criminal justice.
- Colorado State University-Global Campus | Tuition: $350/Credit. The top online programs at CSU-Global include accounting, computer science, information technology, and marketing.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo | Tuition: $355/Credit. CSU-Pueblo offers opportunities for all levels of business and engineering students, from online certifications to graduate degrees.
- University of Northern Colorado | Tuition: $365/Credit. This college focuses on education. It offers licenses, graduate certifications, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in various educational fields.
- Metropolitan State University of Denver | Tuition: $370/Credit. MSU Denver offers 41 online programs across a wide range of fields. These programs include anthropology, business, finance, and cyber security.
Best Online Accredited Colleges in Colorado That Accept Financial Aid
The most affordable online accredited colleges in Colorado when it comes to financial aid are Regis University, Colorado Christian University, and the University of Northern Colorado. CSU-Pueblo and Colorado Mesa University also have a high percentage of students receiving financial aid.
- Regis University | Tuition: $184/Credit. 99 percent of this private Jesuit university’s students receive financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships.
- Colorado Christian University | Tuition: $306/Credit. 99 percent of CCU students receive financial aid. Most of them pay their tuition using federal or institutional grants.
- University of Northern Colorado | Tuition: $365/Credit. 99 percent of the students enrolled in this public university receive financial aid. Most of them receive federal or institutional grants.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo | Tuition: $355/Credit. Around 98 percent of this school’s students receive financial aid in the form of federal grants and student loans.
- Colorado Mesa University | Tuition: $332/Credit. 96 percent of students at Colorado Mesa University receive financial aid. Most of it comes in the form of federal grants.
Best Online Schools in Colorado by Popular Subjects
Over the next sections, we’ll be ranking the best online schools in Colorado by popular subjects like Computer Science, Nursing, Medical Coding and Billing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and more.
Best Accredited Online Colleges With Associate Degree Programs in Colorado
The best accredited online colleges with associate degree programs are Colorado Christian University, Colorado Mesa University, and Aspen University. Pikes Peak Community College and Nazarene Bible College also offer great associate degree programs in Colorado.
- Colorado Christian University | Associate of Science in Business Administration. This two-year program provides students with an overview of the functional areas of business that are common to all organizations.
- Colorado Mesa University | Associate of Arts in University Studies, Liberal Arts. This program was designed for students looking to study the arts, humanities, or social and behavioral sciences. It’s a great starting point for students who are exploring career or major options but aren’t looking to commit to a particular track.
- Aspen University | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies. This AAS program teaches students how to organize and lead early childhood education programs and prepares them to serve as assistant teachers in preschools, private kindergartens, private elementary schools, and more.
- Pikes Peak Community College | Associate of Arts/Applied Science in Criminal Justice. The Criminal Justice program at Pikes Peak prepares students for entry-level careers or higher-level criminology degrees. Students gain knowledge of the criminal justice system, criminal theory, communication, and relational skills.
- Nazarene Bible College | Associate of Arts in Ministry. This AA program is designed for students who wish to serve as lay workers in churches or Christian organizations, either as volunteers or as paid staff members.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Colorado
The best accredited online colleges with bachelor’s degree programs are Colorado Christian University, Colorado Mesa University, and CSU Global. CSU Pueblo and the Metropolitan State University of Denver also offer bachelor’s degree programs in Colorado.
- Colorado Christian University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology. This 120-credit program prepares students for careers in computer programming, network design and management, technical support, and information security, among other emerging technical fields.
- Colorado Mesa University | Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. The Business Administration in Management program gives students valuable skills and knowledge that they can apply directly in any position in the business field.
- Colorado State University-Global Campus | Bachelor of Science in Finance. This flexible program teaches students the foundations of financial management, fiscal decision-making, and how to use the latest technology to shape financial strategies.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo | Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership and Management. This four-year program covers leadership and management skills across industries like accounting, economics, communication technology, and marketing.
- Metropolitan State University of Denver | Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. MSU Denver’s BA in Anthropology program focuses on four study areas, including cultural anthropology and archaeology. Graduates of this program are prepared for a wide variety of career fields, from ESL interpretation to academic research.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Master’s Degree Programs in Colorado
The best accredited online colleges with master’s degree programs are Colorado Christian University, Colorado Mesa University, and the Colorado School of Mines. CSU Global and Pueblo also offer popular master’s degree programs in the state of Colorado.
- Colorado Christian University | Master of Science in Cyber Security. CCU’s online graduate program in cyber security prepares students for careers in digital forensics, cyber criminology, cyber entrepreneurship, systems security, and cyber architecture.
- Colorado Mesa University | Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership and Policy. Over the course of six semesters, students learn how to critique criminal justice policies and practices, how to implement advanced leadership theories and skills in policy development and administration.
- Colorado School of Mines | Master of Engineering in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geoinformatics. This online program focuses on teaching students about the technology and policies necessary to maintain and preserve spatial data. The program’s faculty is composed of GIS experts.
- Colorado State University-Global Campus | Master of Science in AI and Machine Learning. This fully accredited degree program trains students to analyze and associate AI principles with reasoning and implement holistic AI solutions for any problem. This program prepares students for advanced roles in the most cutting-edge tech fields.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo | Master of Education Program. This program is designed for teachers who wish to expand their skillset and study the latest research on teaching and learning. They can then apply this knowledge in their own classrooms.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Why You Should Attend an Accredited Online College in Colorado
You should attend an accredited online college in Colorado because accredited schools are equipped to provide the best online education possible. Virtual schools in Colorado offer flexible and affordable programs that allow students to pursue their educational goals without sacrificing other responsibilities.
Accredited Online Colleges in Colorado FAQ
When a school has Candidate for Accreditation status, it means that they’re being closely investigated to see if they’re fit for accreditation. These schools are usually making satisfactory progress toward compliance with accreditation criteria, but it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be accredited in the immediate future.
The main difference between an accredited and an unaccredited program is that accredited schools meet a prescribed standard of education. This doesn’t necessarily mean that an unaccredited program is of poor quality, it just means it doesn’t meet the approved standards.
An assurance argument is a rigorous review and analysis of a university’s strengths and weaknesses. It is used to see if the school is meeting the criteria and established standards for accreditation.
An accrediting agency ensures that the courses and programs provided by a university meet acceptable levels of quality. They develop the evaluation criteria and analyze each school to see if they meet those criteria. Whenever the schools succeed, they become accredited.
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