Best Value English Language and Literature Colleges in Colorado

Colorado English programs produce vastly different earning outcomes, with graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earning $25,372 annually while Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates command $34,145. This $8,773 earnings gap reflects how Colorado's expanding tech and aerospace sectors value communication skills differently across career paths. The state's 16 English programs range from Colorado State University Pueblo's affordable $12,948 net cost to University of Denver's premium $36,037 price tag. Colorado's aerospace giants like Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace increasingly hire English majors for technical writing and communications roles, while the growing startup ecosystem creates demand for content strategists and marketing professionals. Public universities dominate the value equation, with Colorado State University-Fort Collins delivering strong outcomes at $20,332 net cost and a 66.90% graduation rate.

Programs

$12,948 – $36,037

Net Price Range

$28,153

Avg. Program Earnings

52.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 English Language and Literature, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$34,145	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
2	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado	$12,948	$27,590	$9,401	38.0%	98.8%
3	Adams State University Alamosa, Colorado	$14,173	$28,019	$9,776	31.6%	99.2%
4	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado	$16,431	$28,598	$9,712	45.3%	84.8%
5	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$18,457	$30,554	$12,010	51.3%	78.5%
6	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$32,234	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
7	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, Colorado	$19,133	$29,956	$10,017	47.4%	74.6%
8	Fort Lewis College Durango, Colorado	$17,339	$26,121	$9,670	43.1%	91.0%
9	Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, Colorado	$15,331	$22,192	$9,712	41.5%	81.8%
10	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado	$21,480	$25,372	$16,430	75.0%	80.7%
11	University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$36,037	$32,569	$59,340	78.0%	77.7%
12	Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado	$31,678	$20,482	$67,932	86.0%	16.3%
13	Colorado Christian University Lakewood, Colorado	$25,458		$39,266	55.3%
14	Naropa University Boulder, Colorado	$28,862		$34,600	45.9%	100.0%
15	Regis University Denver, Colorado	$22,689		$43,980	61.1%	76.1%
16	Western Colorado University Gunnison, Colorado	$16,773		$11,083	50.7%	91.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Colorado English programs?

Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn $34,145 annually, nearly $9,000 more than University of Colorado Boulder graduates at $25,372. Program location plays a key role, with Denver-area schools connecting students to corporate communications roles at aerospace firms and tech startups. University career services and alumni networks in different cities also influence post-graduation salary negotiations and job placement rates.

How do private colleges compare to public options for English value?

University of Denver charges $36,037 net cost but delivers only $32,569 in average earnings, creating a poor value proposition. Meanwhile, Colorado State University Pueblo costs just $12,948 while producing graduates earning $27,590. Private schools show mixed results, with Colorado College graduates earning only $20,482 despite the school's 86% graduation rate and $31,678 annual cost.

Is debt load manageable for Colorado English majors?

Most Colorado English programs keep debt reasonable, with Fort Lewis College graduates carrying just $16,250 in student loans. Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates average $19,500 in debt while earning $32,234 annually. However, Metropolitan State graduates face $24,854 in debt, though their $34,145 starting salaries help offset this burden through faster repayment potential.

Where do acceptance rates create admission advantages?

Colorado State University Pueblo accepts 98.79% of applicants while delivering solid value at $12,948 net cost. Adams State University takes 99.18% of students, making it highly accessible for English majors seeking affordable education. Only Colorado College presents significant admission challenges at 16.30% acceptance, though its graduates face the lowest earnings at $20,482 among all programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.