The population of Colorado has never had more options for higher education than now.
The topography of the Rocky Mountains leaves 42 percent of counties as rural. Within those counties, less than 20 percent of residents complete college degrees. Conversely, highly populated counties attract college graduates, and 60 percent of their residents hold postsecondary diplomas. The state colleges and universities of Colorado decided to offer online learning options to raise overall education rates. Their efforts have measurable results.
What kind of online degree can you earn in Colorado?
Today, 38 percent of all Colorado residents hold a college degree, which is the second best rate in the country. Retention rates across the state held steady at 75.8 percent in 2010 to 2011, and graduation rates of 59.2 percent contribute to its high national ranking. Colorado's College Opportunity Fund (COF) gives a stipend to in-state residents attending the state's colleges and universities both on- and off-campus. To participate, students must be undergraduates enrolled in college. Proof of Colorado residency must accompany the COF application.
The top career fields in Colorado require college degrees, but projections indicate tremendous state job growth in the next five years. Through the year 2022, foreign language interpreters will see job creation rise 70 percent, petroleum engineering will surge 67 percent, and 58 percent more information security analysts will be needed.
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How much money do people make with an online degree in Colorado?
Income for Colorado residents averages $59,000, which is 13 percent higher than the U.S. average. The robust economy in the state of Colorado makes it an appealing choice for students planning to settle in the state after graduation.
As of May 2017, the state boasts an unemployment rate of just 2.3 percent. Job creation outpaces the national average, which is 1.2 percent. The state holds the #2 spot for the fastest population expansion of any U.S. state. The numbers are on your side!
What can you do with an online degree in Colorado?
The sky's the limit! Recent statistics show that it doesn't really matter what field you pursue in Colorado – you're going to do just fine regardless! Colorado ranks high in several key award categories. Forbes ranks Colorado first for Labor Supply and seventh in its "State to Make a Living" (2015). The site 24/7 Wall Street named Colorado the second fastest growing state in 2016, and Yahoo! Ranks the state as the second most educated for 2015.
It seems clear that Colorado residents who enroll in-state will find employment and job security after college. For those rural students, working parents, and post-baccalaureate professionals, pursuing an online education in the state makes higher education attainable.
What are the best online colleges in Colorado?
To assemble the top online colleges and universities in Colorado, the data team at College Choice follows a strict methodology. Each school exceeds educational standards of excellence, and each produces successful, skilled, well-rounded graduates.
Excellence depends on critical factors such as class size, faculty-to-student ratio, assessment scores, degree attainment rates, and return on investment. Successful graduates report reasonable debt-to-income ratios, high starting salaries, and job placement within the first year of graduating.
To find these numbers, we examined data from the IPEDS database of the National Center for Education Statistics, reports from U.S. News and World Report, income figures by Payscale, the website of each college or university, and various research websites.
Best Online Colleges in Colorado
See our rankings methodology page.
