Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in Colorado 2026

If you're thinking about pursuing an accelerated bachelor's degree online, you may be curious about the options available in your home state of Colorado. Do any of the schools in your state offer fast-track options for getting your degree quickly?

Keep reading as we look at top in-state and out-of-state schools offering accelerated online bachelor's degree programs to students in Colorado. We'll also explore some questions you may have about accelerated online degrees.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Colorado?

By their very nature, online programs make it easy to study on a schedule that works for you. Online students can take it slow and easy, fitting school around their busy lives, or they can take heavy courseloads and study continually to finish their education sooner.

Generally speaking, it takes four years for a full-time learner to complete their bachelor's degree; part-time students typically need at least six years to finish. However, if you're in an accelerated program, you can get your degree in three years or less. Some schools make it possible to earn your degree in as little as one year.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Colorado

If you're ready to get your degree quickly in Colorado, you have options. Let's look at some of the top schools offering accredited online bachelor's degrees that students can complete in an accelerated timeframe.

1. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is a public online school affiliated with the Colorado State University System. It offers a wealth of flexible online bachelor's degrees in areas such as:

• computer science
• criminal justice
• human resource management

The school offers new start dates every month and flexible eight-week course sessions that make it easy to accelerate your studies. It also has a generous transfer policy and accepts various types of transfer credits.

Time to completion: as little as one year

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is a private, for-profit school headquartered in Colorado Springs. It specializes in providing flexible programs for busy, nontraditional students. Online bachelor's degrees include:

• business administration
• healthcare management
• project management

Students can choose to study year-round, and course sessions are highly accelerated, lasting just five and a half weeks each. Students must commit to finishing their degree within a set timeframe and can transfer credits to help them finish sooner.

Time to completion: one to three years

Accreditation: HLC

3. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University is a private, nonprofit university in Lakewood. It offers various online degree programs, including bachelor's degrees in areas such as:

• cyber security
• elementary education
• communication studies

Most online courses are offered in accelerated five-week sessions and are asynchronous, allowing students to study on their own time. A generous transfer policy is in place so students can get credit for past academic experiences and graduate sooner.

Time to completion: as little as one year

Accreditation: HLC

4. Regis University

Regis University is a Jesuit school in Denver. Many of its degree programs are offered online in flexible formats and timeframes. Options include applied psychology, liberal arts, and computer science.

Students can transfer up to 66 credits, take advantage of six yearly start dates, and complete eight-week course sessions. These flexible options make it possible to study year-round and complete your degree in an accelerated timeframe.

Time to completion: as little as one to two years

Accreditation: HLC

5. Colorado State University

Colorado State University's flagship campus is located in Fort Collins. It offers online degree programs with various specializations and a surprising amount of flexibility. Bachelor's degrees include:

• horticulture
• data science
• health physics

Students enjoy high-quality programs taught by the same faculty as in-person programs but with much more flexibility. Students complete asynchronous courses on their own time and can transfer credits to save time and money. Various yearly start dates are also available.

Time to completion: as little as two years

Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is one campus of the University of Colorado System. Several flexible online bachelor's degrees are available, including English, philosophy, and social work.

The school has been offering online classes for almost 30 years, making it a pioneer in online education. Flexible courses and a strong transfer policy help students save time on their education and accelerate their study timeframe if desired.

Time to completion: as little as one to two years

Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is another member of the University of Colorado System. Its online degrees are flexible and designed for busy adults. Some of the bachelor's programs include:

• integrated studies
• ethnic studies
• public administration

Eight-week course sessions are flexible and make it easy to accelerate your degree path. Financial aid and student support services are also available to help busy online learners succeed and complete their degrees in their desired timeframes.

Time to completion: as little as one to two years

Accreditation: HLC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

Taking online courses enables students to study from anywhere even if their school is across the country. Let's look at some top out-of-state schools with accelerated online learning opportunities. We’ll also explore the majors you can take through these quick online degree programs.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university serving a large majority of online students. More than 200 degree and certificate programs are available online, with bachelor's degree options including:

• accounting
• digital photography
• geosciences

Undergraduate courses are offered in asynchronous, eight-week sessions so students can study when it's convenient for them while still completing courses in an accelerated timeframe. Students can also transfer up to 90 credit hours from previous academic, test, and/or work experiences.

Time to completion: as little as one year

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Liberty University

Liberty University is a Christian school located in Virginia. It offers hundreds of online programs to a large community of online learners. Some of the bachelor's degrees include:

• applied statistics
• aviation management
• biblical counseling

Up to 75% of your total credits can be transferred from other institutions. Full-time learners receive tuition discounts over part-time learners, making it more cost-effective to take heavy courseloads. All courses are offered in eight-week sessions with multiple start dates each year.

Time to completion: as little as one year

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private online school based in Utah. It offers some of the most flexible online programs in the U.S. in a variety of disciplines, such as:

• user experience design
• special education
• public health

Competency-based programs allow students to progress through classes at their own pace, and transfer credits are accepted. Students can start their program whenever they are ready and, since tuition is paid per term instead of per credit hour, they can save big by earning their degrees quickly.

Time to completion: as little as one year

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose top online colleges when creating our school rank lists. We considered the following criteria when selecting the schools above:

• Accreditation: Each school maintains accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body.
• Program length: All of the online degree programs can be completed in under four years, and many provide options to finish in as little as a year.
• Program reputation and quality: Each school is known for providing high-quality online education opportunities.
• Tuition cost: Average tuition rates vary widely depending on the school; among schools featured above, these averages range from $8,300 to nearly $44,000 per year.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in Colorado

There are plenty of good reasons to accelerate your bachelor’s degree. For one, expediting your studies can help you save time and money. Moreover, it will allow you to enter the workforce earlier than your peers. This means that you can begin advancing your career while everyone else is still in university.

There are many ways to quickly earn a diploma in Colorado. Below, we’ll explore three of them:

• Leverage online courses: Online course providers like Study.com can help students complete coursework faster. Unlike traditional classes, online courses are flexible and not bound by standard university schedules. Because of these reasons, you can easily take several online courses at once. Furthermore, you can complete them quickly because you can access the lessons, assignments, and exams even in the evenings and weekends.
• Take summer and/or winter classes: Completing your degree requirements fast can help you graduate early. You can do this by taking up classes outside the standard fall and spring semesters. This can help you accumulate more credits faster, expediting your degree.
• Join an accelerated bachelor’s program: As we’ve outlined above, there are plenty of schools in and out of Colorado that offer accelerated bachelor’s programs. These programs are available in various fields, such as public health, aviation, and even geosciences. Enroll in any of these programs to get the opportunity to graduate in as early as one year.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in Colorado

If you still have questions about getting an online undergraduate degree quickly, you're not alone. Read on for answers to common questions you may be asking.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in Colorado?

Yes, students in Colorado can earn a variety of one-year bachelor's degrees online. Many schools offer flexible online programs that make it possible for students to get their degree quickly. Those with sufficient transfer credits who take heavy courseloads and study year-round can complete their bachelor's degree in as little as a year at these schools.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in Colorado?

The Colorado schools charging the lowest tuition rates for online learners are Adams State University and Colorado State University Global. These online universities charge $371 and $375 per credit hour, respectively.

Is an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Harder Than a Traditional Program?

An accelerated bachelor’s degree program typically features compressed coursework to allow for early graduation. This may entail an intense, fast-paced learning journey with little to no breaks. For these reasons, some students may find accelerated bachelor’s programs more challenging than their traditional counterparts.

Despite this, accelerated degree programs can be extremely rewarding. As we’ve discussed earlier, expediting your degree is very time- and cost-efficient. In addition, because it allows you to begin employment quickly, you can start paying off any student debts you may have accrued.

Can You Work While Earning an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree?

Yes, you may work while accelerating your bachelor’s degree. Apart from enrolling in accelerated bachelor’s programs, there are plenty of flexible ways to quickly earn a diploma. Testing out of courses, leveraging transfer credits, and taking online courses can all help you expedite your degree while employed.

Furthermore, there are plenty of institutions in and out of Colorado that offer accelerated programs specifically for working adults. These programs are often flexible, making it easier for students to juggle their responsibilities.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

If you're ready to start an accelerated online bachelor's degree program, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their online programs and to choose the best one for you.