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Colorado School of Mines graduates earn $97,335 annually, making it the state's highest-paying suburban college despite a selective 58% acceptance rate. This Golden-based engineering powerhouse reflects Colorado's aerospace and tech economy, where companies like Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace actively recruit skilled graduates. The state's 14 suburban colleges show dramatic earning variations, from $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute to nearly $100,000 at Mines. Community colleges dominate the market with affordable options under $11,000, while specialized institutions like Colorado School of Trades achieve an impressive 81.8% graduation rate with just 108 students. The Colorado Opportunity Fund provides additional financial support, making these suburban campuses particularly attractive for in-state students. Graduation rates span from 20% to 82%, reflecting the varied mission of these institutions. Front Range Community College serves over 11,000 students at $10,854 annually, while smaller programs like Bel-Rea Institute focus on specialized animal technology training. These suburban settings offer proximity to Denver's job market while maintaining lower costs than urban campuses, creating pathways into Colorado's growing tech and aerospace sectors.
14
Schools
$21,375
Avg. Net Price
$52,674
Avg. Earnings
46.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Suburban Colleges in Colorado

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 Suburb-Large 5,801 $29,240 79.4%
2 Suburb-Large 161 $24,961 60.8%
3 Suburb-Large 4,281 $9,356 37.4%
4 Suburb-Large 11,132 $10,854 30.1%
5 Suburb-Large 5,392 $10,790 26.8%
6 Suburb-Large 215 $42,287 20.0%
7 Suburb-Large 5,363 $25,458 55.3%
8 Suburb-Large 108 $22,635 81.8%
9 Suburb-Large 9,307 $9,682 23.0%
10 Suburb-Large 1,878 $28,037 36.5%
11 Suburb-Large 764 $21,821 64.2%
12 Suburb-Large
13 Suburb-Small
14 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.