For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Colorado is $8,291 for Colorado residents and $20,844 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Colorado, the average tuition & fees are $27,823 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Colorado is $13,069 for Colorado residents and $21,659 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Colorado, the average graduate tuition is $21,357.
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 $20,309. 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 $27,165 for residents and $39,719 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $47,224. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $21,903 for Colorado residents and $25,022 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 | $27,165 | $39,719 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $47,224 | |
| Community Colleges | $21,903 | $25,022 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Colorado, 83 out of 88 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 33 public and 40 private colleges in Colorado. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Colorado is $6,864 for Colorado residents and $19,415 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $26,251
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $4,414 for residents and $7,533 for out-of-state students.
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $6,864 | $19,415 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $26,251 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $4,414 | $7,533 |
| 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 $11,475 for Colorado residents and $20,066 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $20,013
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $11,475 | $20,066 |
| Private Schools | $20,013 | |
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 $285 for Colorado residents and $766 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,024
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $655 for Colorado residents and $1,154 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $855
| Colorado Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $285 | $766 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,024 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $327 | $524 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $655 | $1,154 |
| Private Schools | $855 | |
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 $20,309 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 | $19,350 |
