For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Colorado is $8,708 for Colorado residents and $22,157 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Colorado, the average tuition & fees are $27,004 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Colorado is $13,630 for Colorado residents and $21,659 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Colorado, the average graduate tuition is $24,369.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $17,409 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $20,242. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Colorado colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Colorado is $27,819 for residents and $41,268 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $46,018. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $21,890 for Colorado residents and $26,453 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $27,819 | $41,268 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $46,018 | |
| Community Colleges | $21,890 | $26,453 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Colorado, 83 out of 88 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 33 public and 43 private colleges in Colorado. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Colorado is $8,708 for Colorado residents and $22,157 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $25,973
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $4,843 for residents and $9,406 for out-of-state students.
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $8,708 | $22,157 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $25,973 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $4,843 | $9,406 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $17,263 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Colorado, 31 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Colorado is $11,926 for Colorado residents and $20,066 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $22,500
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $11,926 | $20,066 |
| Private Schools | $22,500 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Colorado is $300 for Colorado residents and $839 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,232
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $675 for Colorado residents and $1,148 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $943
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $300 | $839 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,232 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $166 | $351 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $675 | $1,148 |
| Private Schools | $943 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Colorado
At colleges in Colorado, the average living cost is $17,409 when a student lives on campus facility and $20,242 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $17,181 | $20,872 |
| Private Schools | $18,184 | $19,101 |
