Colorado Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Colorado College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Colorado institutions.
Top Colorado Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | Public 4-yr | $14,700 | $43,794 | 30,400 |
| Colorado State University | Public 4-yr | $12,830 | $34,400 | 25,900 |
| University of Denver (private) | Private | $65,304 | $65,304 | 5,800 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Public 4-yr | $11,594 | $25,744 | 9,100 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Public 4-yr | $20,760 | $45,230 | 5,700 |
| Metropolitan State University Denver | Public 4-yr | $9,240 | $24,354 | 16,100 |
| UCCS (Colorado Springs) | Public 4-yr | $12,800 | $27,830 | 10,000 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Public 4-yr | $11,060 | $26,770 | 9,000 |
| Front Range Community College | Community | $4,500 | $15,600 | 21,000 |
Colorado State-Funded Aid Programs
Colorado State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).
Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF)
Per-credit stipend for undergraduate CO residents attending participating CO institutions. Reduces published tuition.
Colorado Student Grant (CSG)
Need-based grant for CO residents at eligible CO public and private institutions.
Colorado Promise
Covers tuition and fees at Colorado public colleges for students with family income up to $90,000.
Student Loan Options for Colorado Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Colorado have a state student loan program?
No. Colorado does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Colorado residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Colorado state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Colorado students.
How much does college cost in Colorado?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Colorado public four-year universities is about $13,300 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $28,400 on campus for Colorado residents and $43,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Colorado?
Colorado borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $37,100. Total outstanding federal student debt for Colorado residents is approximately $26.4 billion.
Does Colorado offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Colorado administers the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF, per-credit stipend for all residents), Colorado Student Grant (need-based), the Colorado Promise (free tuition for families under $90k), and targeted Bridge Initiative tuition waivers.
Does Colorado have a state student loan program?
No. Colorado does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Colorado residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Colorado colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
CO community colleges average $4,500 per year. MSU Denver is the lowest four-year public at $9,240. Colorado School of Mines is the most expensive in-state public at $20,760.
What scholarships are available for Colorado residents?
Key awards include the COF, Colorado Student Grant, Colorado Promise, CoSI Scholarship, and Bridge Initiative waivers.
Related Colorado Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Colorado public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- CDHE program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak