Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in Colorado

College is expensive, and the cost seems only to be rising every year. Luckily, earning your degree at an affordable price is still possible at a college in Colorado.

One of the best ways to do that is to choose a reasonably priced school, such as an affordable online college. Keep reading to discover the ten cheapest colleges in Colorado.

Top Cheap Colleges in Colorado

Colorado is home to about two dozen colleges and universities that offer bachelor's degrees. We've listed the top ten cheapest colleges in Colorado below in alphabetical order.

1. Adams State University

Adams State University is a public university in Alamosa, CO. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs both in-person and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Education
• Health
• Science
• Math

Colorado residents pay a tuition of $9,776 per year for on-campus courses, while non-residents pay $21,848. Online students pay the resident price regardless of state of residence.

2. Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, CO. It offers programs from the associate through the doctoral levels on campus and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Business
• Computer Science
• Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Annual tuition at the university is usually about $7,364.40 for in-state residents and $19,596.10 for out-of-state residents. Residents of certain nearby states pay a discounted tuition of $11,386.76.

3. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is the online campus of the public Colorado State University system. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Online bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Management
• Technology

Undergraduate tuition at the university is $350 per credit or roughly $8,400 per year. There is no additional cost for out-of-state students.

4. Columbia College

Columbia College, also known as Columbia College of Missouri, is a private college based in Columbia, Missouri with a campus in Denver. It offers associate through master's degrees.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees online and on campus in fields like:

• Arts and Music
• Business
• Computer and Mathematics
• Social Sciences

Tuition at Columbia College is $375 per credit, or $11,250 per year, regardless of state of residency or mode of learning. Current military service members pay $250 per credit.

5. Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College is a public liberal arts college in Durango, CO. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus.

Bachelor's degrees are available through the following schools within the college:

• Katz School of Business
• School of Arts & Sciences
• School of Education

Colorado residents pay a tuition of $7,560 per year, while non-residents pay $18,688 before additional fees.

Military and veteran students, Native American students, and undocumented students may be eligible for tuition discounts and waivers.

6. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver, CO. It offers bachelor's and master's programs in person and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Business
• Education
• Engineering
• Health and Human Sciences

Tuition for bachelor's degrees is usually about $8,788 per year for residents and $23,766 for non-residents. Residents of nearby western states may qualify for a tuition of $16,510 per year.

7. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public research university in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

It offers bachelor's and master's degrees online and bachelor's through doctoral degrees on-campus. Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Education
• Engineering and Applied Science
• Nursing and Health Sciences

Colorado residents pay about $8,012.40 annually while non-residents pay about $21,576. The university also offers scholarships, student employment opportunities, and a textbook affordability program.

8. University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is a public research university in downtown Denver, CO. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Arts and Media
• Business
• Education and Human Development
• Public Affairs

Tuition for Colorado residents is around $11,406 per year, while non-resident tuition is roughly $29,598 per year. The university offers scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

9. Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University (Western) is a public university in Gunnison, CO. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees primarily on campus.

Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Education
• Environment and Sustainability

Colorado residents pay an annual tuition of about $7,128 per year, while non-residents pay about $19,728 per year.

10. William Howard Taft University

William Howard Taft University is a private for-profit online university headquartered in Denver, Colorado. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can choose just one bachelor's degree at the university: a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

This program costs $225 per credit, which works out to around $6,750. There is no additional cost for out-of-state students.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

The cost of a college degree depends on many different factors. In addition to tuition, there are additional fees and things like textbooks to factor in.

If you live on campus, you'll also have to consider things like a meal plan and on-campus housing costs.

According to the Education Data Initiative, Colorado students can expect to spend an average of $19,352 per year at a public institution.

How To Make College Affordable

The best way to make college affordable is to fill out your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) so you can determine what federal financial aid you qualify for.

Other things you can do include:

• Attend a school in your state of residency
• Complete your general education courses at a lower-cost community college
• Live at home if possible to save on room and board
• Look for grants and scholarships offered by the university and other institutions

Do Cheap Colleges in Colorado Offer High-Quality Education?

Just because a college is low-cost, doesn't mean the degree isn't high-quality. The programs listed above are all accredited colleges that offer a good education.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

Many colleges and universities, especially public ones, offer a lower tuition rate for students who live in the same state as the college.

Colorado participates in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), meaning many institutions in Colorado offer discounted tuition to students in the following states:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Additionally, some colleges and universities offer in-state tuition to online students regardless of their state of residency.

Find an Affordable College in Colorado Today

Several excellent colleges and universities in Colorado offer an affordable education. Check out the programs above to find the perfect fit for you today!