20 Best Universities In Colorado For International Students 2025

Colorado is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 20 universities and colleges in Colorado, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 20 universities in Colorado, University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University are the top-performing schools in Colorado. This list covers both public and private institutions in Colorado.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Colorado. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Colorado.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Colorado?

Applying to the universities in Colorado involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Colorado to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Colorado?

Tuition fees at Colorado’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 64,600 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 5,220 USD to 56,000 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Colorado!

As we cover the best universities in Colorado for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Colorado for International Students

The University of Colorado Boulder, shortly known as CU Boulder, is the flagship and largest university of the University of Colorado system, comprising three other campuses. CU Boulder strives to leave its mark on its students and the world. This effort is relevant in its many enterprises, including its membership in the Association for American Universities, a selective research association in the USA. Such impact is also reflected in its research track record; CU Boulder has an excellent lineup of research faculty and an impressive portfolio of research projects.

Tracing its roots in 1870, Colorado State University is a comprehensive research university in the United States. They are internationally recognized for their research contributions and activities in science, technology, and medicine. On the other side, they offer almost 300 academic programs at different levels. Students get to enjoy a variety of educational and social activities on campus.

The University of Colorado Denver, a CU system campus, is a prestigious and top-ranked institution, both globally and nationally. It began as an extension of CU Boulder, one of the system’s first campuses, before becoming independent in 1973. Since then, the university has made a significant impact on both the Denver community and its students. CU Denver has earned its mark, even placing 51st for Nursing by the QS rankings.

Colorado School of Mines offers diverse courses in science and mathematics, primarily on energy and the environment. It significantly contributes to society through its research activities. Students in the institution are highly critical and innovative, thanks to its in-depth coursework and internship opportunities.

The oldest private institution in the Mountain States, the University of Denver offers a unique learning experience in the city and mountain area. With influential research activity, it boasts of contributing to research for innovative sustainability and clean energy production. The University of Denver offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is part of the CU system. Although a fast-growing university, its student-to-faculty ratio is low (15:1), as they want to ensure quality, personalized, and attentive education for its 12,000+ students. There is great diversity in both its students and programs available. National rankings indicate that CU Colorado Springs is doing well, placing 299th in the US News.

The University of Northern Colorado offers more than 100 bachelor’s degree programs and about 70 master’s degree programs across its five colleges. Its main campus is located in Greeley, but the university has buildings in three other cities in Colorado. Since this is a research-focused university, it has multiple opportunities for developing research projects at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In order to do so, it has 12 research centers and institutes, like the Center for Small Business Development or the Institute for Cancer Rehabilitation.

Colorado College offers over 40 undergraduate programs in its 36 departments. It also offers two master’s degree programs in the Department of Education. Classes at Colorado College are offered in blocks, which means that students will only cover one course at a time for 3.5 weeks in order to allow them to fully focus on the content and projects related to that subject. Once the block ends, students have a four-day break during which the college offers different events and festivals. Although it has a small student body, Colorado College has more than 100 student organizations and multiple sports teams.

The United States Air Force Academy prepares the cadets that will serve in the Air Force and in the Space Force of the US. The academy provides a comprehensive education that prepares aspirants not only for serving in the military but also for being excellent professionals. Instruction in the Air Force Academy includes military training, academic education, research opportunities, development of leadership skills, and athletics. They offer a wide variety of bachelor’s programs in the areas of sciences, technology, social sciences, and humanities, but their programs in engineering have a great reputation because of the innovative courses and the high-quality education provided to students.

The Metropolitan State University of Denver is the top choice for transfer students from colleges and universities in Colorado. They are committed to providing quality and accessible education, with CADRE as its core value: Community, Accessibility, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. It was founded in 1965 and is currently home to over 17,500 students.

Regis University, a Catholic university, is religiously affiliated with the Society of Jesus, making it a Jesuit institution. The predecessor of Regis Uni, Las Vegas College, was first established in New Mexico. It was only in 1884 when the institution relocated to Colorado – first in Morrison, then to Denver in 1887. Several programs are offered in the sciences, business, education, tech, health, and other fields.

Colorado Technical University embraces technology to enhance the students’ creativity and learning experience. The university is committed to guiding and mentoring students to help them build their skills and confidence. It provides an industry-relevant education through innovative technology and experienced staff.

Fort Lewis College enables students to level up their curiosity and enjoy life as they learn about the field they are passionate about. The institution offers diverse educational programs and guides students with mentors with deep academic backgrounds. Fort Lewis College is a place where experiential learning happens and delivers vast opportunities for students.

The University of Colorado Mesa is a public university located in Colorado. It has two campuses, Bishop Campus, located in the northwestern Grand Junction, and Montrose, Colorado. Currently, 2,000 students live in various structures such as apartments, traditional houses, and suites in the school. The university was founded in 1925, and has a building called Houston Hall as the first building on campus.

Western Colorado University is a public university located in Garrison, Colorado, United States. The University of Western Colorado currently operates more than 100 undergraduate areas and seven graduate programs, and currently has about 2,600 students and 400 graduate students. The acceptance rate of this university is about 95%, and the unique thing about this university is that the rate of out-of-state students is high, with a quarter of all students. The university’s department encourages and values students’ academic history, leadership potential, diversity of experience, and participation in various activities.

Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU Pueblo), a public university in Pueblo, Colorado, mostly serves Hispanic students and is a part of the Colorado State University System. CSU Pueblo began in 1933 as Southern Colorado Junior College, with only 63 students. They have 31 undergraduate programs and 9 graduate programs in Education, Humanities, Science, Business, and Health Sciences.

Colorado Christian University is a private institution that places faith at the core of university life. It’s divided into two colleges that offer around 30 bachelor’s degree programs and multiple online master’s degree programs. Since this is a Christian university, it has unique religious programs, like Worship Arts and Youth Ministry, and has additional requirements for graduating. For example, attending chapel is mandatory and students must complete a number of chapel hours to obtain their degrees. The university also requires students to do community service and encourages them to be actively involved in the academic community.

Naropa University is a one-of-a-kind private institution that follows Buddhist and spiritual principles and welcomes students from all backgrounds and faith. Spiritual character is emphasized in the degree programs and activities offered on its two campuses. This university has 13 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs with different concentrations. Education here consists of a mandatory core curriculum and capstone project and includes different practices and activities such as meditation, mindfulness, and traditional ceremonies.

Adams State University is a public university in Alamosa, Colorado. It was founded in 1921 and has been growing its student population over the years. Recognized as the most diverse university in Colorado, Adams State University is dedicated to providing quality education to minorities, first-generation students, and low-income students.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a specialized institution focusing on creativity and artistic training, especially for undergraduate students. Its on-campus programs are for bachelor’s students only, although it does offer online graduate programs. These courses cover a range of art fields, such as photography, graphic design, education, and more.

RMCAD’s education and training focus on the individual artist. They emphasize individuality and self-reflection to help pave brighter futures for young artists.