Suburban Colleges in Colorado
| # | School | Setting | Enrollment | Net Price | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 5,801 | $29,240 | 79.4% |
| 2 |
Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology
Denver, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 161 | $24,961 | 60.8% |
| 3 |
Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 4,281 | $9,356 | 37.4% |
| 4 |
Front Range Community College
Westminster, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 11,132 | $10,854 | 30.1% |
| 5 |
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 5,392 | $10,790 | 26.8% |
| 6 |
Platt College-Aurora
Greenwood Village, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 215 | $42,287 | 20.0% |
| 7 |
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 5,363 | $25,458 | 55.3% |
| 8 |
Colorado School of Trades
Lakewood, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 108 | $22,635 | 81.8% |
| 9 |
Pikes Peak State College
Colorado Springs, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 9,307 | $9,682 | 23.0% |
| 10 |
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Lakewood, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 1,878 | $28,037 | 36.5% |
| 11 |
Pima Medical Institute-Denver
Denver, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | 764 | $21,821 | 64.2% |
| 12 |
Denver Seminary
Littleton, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large | |||
| 13 |
Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture
Louisville, Colorado
|
Suburb-Small | |||
| 14 |
Rocky Vista University
Parker, Colorado
|
Suburb-Large |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Colorado School of Mines worth the $29,240 annual cost?
Mines graduates earn $97,335 annually, the highest among all suburban Colorado colleges. The 79.4% graduation rate and strong industry connections to aerospace companies like Ball Aerospace justify the investment. Engineering and geology programs align directly with Colorado's mining and tech economy.
How do Colorado's suburban community colleges compare in affordability?
Red Rocks leads at $9,356 annually, followed closely by Pikes Peak at $9,682 and Arapahoe at $10,790. These three serve over 18,000 combined students. Colorado Opportunity Fund stipends further reduce costs for state residents, making suburban community colleges extremely accessible.
Is Colorado School of Trades actually better than larger colleges?
With 108 students, Colorado School of Trades achieves an 81.8% graduation rate, the highest among all suburban Colorado colleges. Graduates earn $51,591 annually. The small size allows personalized attention that larger institutions cannot match, resulting in superior completion rates.
Does Platt College-Aurora justify its $42,287 price tag?
Graduates earn $77,602 annually, making Platt the second-highest paying suburban college in Colorado. However, the 20% graduation rate raises concerns about completion. The 64.71% acceptance rate suggests selectivity, but outcomes vary significantly among the 215 enrolled students.
Where can students find specialized career training in suburban Colorado?
Bel-Rea Institute offers animal technology training to 161 students with 60.8% graduation rates. Colorado School of Trades provides skilled trades education with strong completion rates. Pima Medical Institute focuses on healthcare careers, serving 764 students in the growing medical field.
See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.