Best Value Political Science and Government Colleges in Colorado

Colorado State University Pueblo delivers the state's most affordable Political Science and Government education at $12,948 net cost, while University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn $39,369 annually, creating a $26,421 earnings gap across Colorado programs. The 15 programs span from highly accessible options with 99% acceptance rates to selective Colorado College at 16%. Political science graduates find opportunities in Colorado's expanding aerospace sector, where companies like Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace require government relations specialists and policy analysts. In-state students benefit from the Colorado Opportunity Fund, which provides tuition stipends that help explain why resident costs drop as low as $9,401 at CSU Pueblo. The state's growing tech startup scene in Denver and Boulder also creates demand for graduates who understand regulatory frameworks and public policy.

Programs

$12,948 – $36,037

Net Price Range

$33,858

Avg. Program Earnings

53.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Political Science and Government 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	$35,594	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
2	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado	$16,431	$35,864	$9,712	45.3%	84.8%
3	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado	$21,480	$39,369	$16,430	75.0%	80.7%
4	Fort Lewis College Durango, Colorado	$17,339	$30,409	$9,670	43.1%	91.0%
5	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, Colorado	$19,133	$33,281	$10,017	47.4%	74.6%
6	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$18,457	$29,751	$12,010	51.3%	78.5%
7	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$28,895	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
8	Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado	$31,678	$37,568	$67,932	86.0%	16.3%
9	University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$36,037	$33,993	$59,340	78.0%	77.7%
10	Adams State University Alamosa, Colorado	$14,173		$9,776	31.6%	99.2%
11	Colorado Christian University Lakewood, Colorado	$25,458		$39,266	55.3%
12	Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, Colorado	$15,331		$9,712	41.5%	81.8%
13	Regis University Denver, Colorado	$22,689		$43,980	61.1%	76.1%
14	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado	$12,948		$9,401	38.0%	98.8%
15	Western Colorado University Gunnison, Colorado	$16,773		$11,083	50.7%	91.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Colorado College different from other political science programs in the state?

Colorado College charges $67,932 in tuition but maintains an 86% graduation rate, the highest among Colorado political science programs. The school accepts only 16% of applicants compared to the state average of 82%. Graduates earn $37,568 annually, ranking third in the state behind University of Colorado Boulder.

How do public university costs compare across Colorado for political science students?

In-state tuition ranges from $9,401 at Colorado State University Pueblo to $16,430 at University of Colorado Boulder, a $7,029 difference. Net costs after aid span $12,948 to $21,480 among public schools. The Colorado Opportunity Fund helps reduce these costs for qualified residents across all public institutions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Colorado political science programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation outcomes, with Colorado College leading at 86% and University of Denver at 78%. However, University of Colorado Colorado Springs achieves a 45% graduation rate at just $16,431 net cost. Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates only 30% of students despite moderate costs of $14,294.

Where do Colorado political science graduates find the best earning potential?

University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn the highest salaries at $39,369 annually, followed by Colorado College at $37,568. The $10,474 gap between top and bottom earners reflects program quality differences. Boulder's proximity to state government and tech companies contributes to stronger employment outcomes for graduates.

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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.