Colorado is one of the most attractive states in the U.S. for local and international students, and there are a couple of reasons why. Firstly, Colorado is known to have an open-minded society in which students from all ethnicities or nationalities can enjoy their stay during their program, which is among the most important factors in deciding where to study. Second, Denver, the capital of Colorado, hosts many of the greatest and most affordable colleges and universities with low tuition fees.
Apart from all the above, Colorado is a beautiful state with fascinating geographical landscapes, guaranteeing students an adventurous and valuable student life in the heart of the United States. If you’re considering Colorado as your study destination yet know little about the average cost of studying there, this article will be of great help. Read more to find out about our list of the ten cheapest universities and colleges in Colorado state.
Affordable Schools in Colorado for International Students
1. Western Colorado University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: $3,564/semester (In-State) | $9,864/Semester (Out-State & International)
Western Colorado University is a public institution in Gunnison, Colorado. The university is considered one of the oldest higher education institutions in the state, with the foundation year of 1901. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University promises an authentic student life experience for its prospective students by encouraging intellectual activities while pursuing academic excellence.
Western Colorado University has a relatively small student body consisting of about 3,000 students, 25% of whom are coming from other states than Colorado. Besides highly affordable tuition fees, Western Colorado University also has plenty of scholarship options for talented students based on their merits.
2. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, also known as UCCS, is a part of the University of Colorado system with an establishment in 1965. UCCS is a pioneering university in the state with its strong commitment to academics and research and prestigious academic affiliations.
There are six main colleges in UCCS, including the College of Arts, Letters and Humanities, College of Education, College of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Public Affairs. The university has specifically proven itself to have the top engineering programs in the USA for both undergraduate and graduate levels.
3. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver, also known as MSU Denver, is a respected public university in Denver, the capital city of Colorado. Founded in 1965, MSU Denver is highly regarded for its strong value in diversity with about 54% of students being students of color. MSU Denver is also recognized for offering the lowest undergraduate program fees in Colorado, which makes a large student body of nearly 17,500 students.
Almost 60% of the students receive scholarships or grants at MSU Denver, regardless of their place of residency or nationality. There are 99 majors and more than 10 graduate programs in six colleges; some of the most popular programs include business, computer science, and psychology.
4. University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver is a prestigious public research university in Denver, the capital of Colorado. It is one of the four institutions of the University of Colorado and is considered the largest research university in the state, with about 17,000 students coming from diverse backgrounds. University of Colorado Denver is also highly recognized for its advanced research activities; its doctoral programs are often considered the best ones in the region. Similarly, the number of master’s programs is considered the highest at the University of Colorado Denver compared to any other university in Colorado.
Students at the University of Colorado Denver have the greatest advantages in research activities, and graduate programs have the lowest annual tuition fee amounts compared to undergraduate programs, ranging from $9,450 to $19,398 per year, depending on the home residency of the student. This makes the university particularly a good choice for graduate applications.
5. Adams State University
Founded in 1921 as a teacher’s college, Adams State University is a respected higher education institution in Alamosa, Colorado. Besides academic programs, the university is also well-respected nationwide for sports activities, such as Addams State Grizzlies and groups of athletic teams to take part in national conferences.
Addams State University currently holds sixteen bachelor’s programs, seven master’s programs, and a doctoral program, as well as several license and pre-professional programs. The cost of tuition can vary depending on the applicant’s state of residency and financial background, meaning generous scholarships can be offered for skillful students under certain circumstances. For the best info, visit the admissions page.
6. Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University is a state university in Grand Junction, Colorado. Founded in 1925, Colorado Mesa University has 38 bachelor’s programs, nine master’s programs, and one doctoral degree program within 13 departments, including arts, business, biological sciences, computer science and engineering, health sciences, language and literature, music, and so on.
The tuition fees at Colorado Mesa University are calculated depending on the origin of the student and the number of credits taken per semester. One-semester fees (12 credits) start at $5,074 for Colorado residents and $9,798 for non-Colorado residents.
7. University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado is a public university in Greeley, Colorado. The university has a long history since its establishment in 1889, and it has been a leading name in teacher education since then. Besides the main campus in Greeley, the University of Northern Colorado has other campuses in Loveland, Denver/Aurora, and Colorado Springs.
There are eight departments at the University of Northern Colorado, including arts, business, education, earth and environmental sciences, health, humanities, science and technology, and social sciences. Tuition fees depend on the degree and structure of the program as well as the student’s residency.
8. Colorado State University, Pueblo
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: $5,838/semester (In-State)| $10,739/Semester (Out-State & International)
Colorado State University, Pueblo is a public university in Pueblo, Colorado. Established in 1933 as Southern Colorado Junior College, the university received its current name in 2003 and is part of the Colorado State University System and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). With more than 4,000 students, 35 undergraduate programs, and 15 postgraduate programs, the university has about 800 students coming from other U.S. states and countries.
9. University of Colorado Boulder
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: $5,988/sem (In-State) | $9,6925/sem (Out-State) | $10,165/sem (International)
the University of Colorado Boulder was founded in 1876, only five months before Colorado became a state in the U.S. Also known as C.U. Boulder, the university is the representative of Colorado and is among the top-class universities in the United States with a membership in the Association of American Universities.
Besides its rich history, C.U. Boulder is a large university with more than 37,000 students enrolled in 150 academic programs in nine faculties. The cost of Tuition depends on several factors: the student’s home residency and the degree or type of the program. Lowest tuition fees include programs in arts and humanities, education, music, and so on.
10. Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University is a private institution that was established in 1965. The university is mainly known for its online degree programs since more than 90% of the students are enrolled in a fully online degree program. Colorado Technical University started as a vocational college and then changed its status to a university in 1995. Since then, it has been offering various academic degree programs in business, engineering, and science departments.
Despite being a private university, Colorado Technical University has affordable tuition fees for both in-state, out-of-state, and international students. The cheapest bachelor’s program costs $64,000 in total, and for graduate programs, the overall tuition fee is $30.000.
FAQs: Studying at a University in Colorado
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Colorado?
Each university in Colorado can have different admission criteria, yet general requirements include a diploma of the highest completed program, academic transcripts, SAT/ACT/GRE scores, valid I.D. card/passport, academic reference letters, and so on.
Are International Students Eligible for Financial Aid and Grants in Colorado?
Generally, in-state residents pay lower tuition fees than out-of-state or international students, yet there are many scholarship options available for international students, as well. An example is C.U. Boulder’s financial aid options for international students. For more information, visit the international admission page of your university of preference.
What is the Cost of Living in Colorado?
The cost of living can change depending on your lifestyle or whether you prefer on-campus or off-campus accommodation. On average, the monthly cost of living in Colorado is $1,700 for on-campus options and $2,200 for off-campus options. The monthly cost of transportation is $180, and food can cost about $400.
Colorado will be not only a good investment for your academic and professional future, but it will also grant you a valuable experience of a peaceful and exciting student life. All it takes is to prepare your budget and create a smart study plan to choose the best university and program.
We hope that this article on the cheapest universities in Colorado was helpful. To learn more information on studying abroad, check out our Study in the U.S. Guide and the Available Programs for International Students sections!
