Your browser is outdated. Please use a modern or updated browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

Net Price of Colorado Colleges by Income

Cost of Colorado Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $18,351 and the average private school would be $26,344. You can also get information on specific Colorado schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of Colorado Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at University of Colorado Boulder (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $12,466
Room and Board $15,220
Books $1,200
Other Expenses $2,556
Total $31,442

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income CO Public $25,344 CO Private $63,660
$0 - $30k $11,571 $18,114
$30,001 – $48k $12,162 $19,060
$48,001 – $75k $14,411 $21,318
$75,001 – $110k $18,351 $26,344
$110,001+ $21,549 $36,752

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Colorado public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $7,000-$16,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Colorado. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public CO Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Adams State University

    Alamosa
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,560 $9,680
    Room and Board $8,916 $9,167
    Books $1,800 $1,800
    Other Expenses $3,105 $3,150
    Total $23,381 $23,797
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,769 $10,961
    $30,001 - $48k $11,978 $12,191
    $48,001 - $75k $14,112 $14,363
    $75,001 - $110k $18,980 $19,318
    $110,001+ $20,621 $20,988
  • University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

    Denver
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,401 $9,384
    Room and Board $13,380 $13,790
    Books $1,800 $1,460
    Other Expenses $6,255 $6,300
    Total $30,836 $30,934
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,376 $8,403
    $30,001 - $48k $9,701 $9,732
    $48,001 - $75k $14,032 $14,077
    $75,001 - $110k $20,018 $20,082
    $110,001+ $22,082 $22,152
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs

    Colorado Springs
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,580 $8,766
    Room and Board $10,920 $10,920
    Books $1,800 $1,800
    Other Expenses $4,660 $4,660
    Total $25,960 $26,146
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,128 $11,208
    $30,001 - $48k $10,541 $10,617
    $48,001 - $75k $13,872 $13,971
    $75,001 - $110k $18,515 $18,648
    $110,001+ $20,336 $20,482
  • University of Colorado Boulder

    Boulder
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,466 $12,496
    Room and Board $15,220 $15,676
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,556 $2,979
    Total $31,442 $32,351
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,807 $14,206
    $30,001 - $48k $15,194 $15,633
    $48,001 - $75k $18,334 $18,864
    $75,001 - $110k $25,611 $26,351
    $110,001+ $29,352 $30,201
  • Colorado Mountain College

    Glenwood Springs
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $2,340 $2,460
    Room and Board $10,431 $10,880
    Books $840 $750
    Other Expenses $1,666 $1,666
    Total $17,677 $18,156
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $2,657 $2,729
    $30,001 - $48k $5,286 $5,429
    $48,001 - $75k $4,213 $4,327
    $75,001 - $110k $8,572 $8,804
    $110,001+ $11,616 $11,931
  • Colorado School of Mines

    Golden
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $19,100 $19,538
    Room and Board $14,720 $15,286
    Books $1,500 $1,500
    Other Expenses $1,879 $1,879
    Total $37,199 $38,203
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,417 $18,914
    $30,001 - $48k $15,701 $16,125
    $48,001 - $75k $16,812 $17,266
    $75,001 - $110k $17,784 $18,264
    $110,001+ $28,661 $29,435
  • Colorado State University-Fort Collins

    Fort Collins
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,814 $12,331
    Room and Board $10,787 $13,016
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $1,665 $1,799
    Total $25,466 $28,346
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,713 $13,038
    $30,001 - $48k $12,221 $13,603
    $48,001 - $75k $15,217 $16,938
    $75,001 - $110k $21,820 $24,288
    $110,001+ $26,972 $30,022
  • Fort Lewis College

    Durango
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,896 $9,004
    Room and Board $11,858 $12,012
    Books $1,240 $1,240
    Other Expenses $3,625 $3,714
    Total $25,619 $25,970
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,069 $12,234
    $30,001 - $48k $13,458 $13,642
    $48,001 - $75k $14,487 $14,685
    $75,001 - $110k $17,583 $17,824
    $110,001+ $19,687 $19,957
  • Colorado Mesa University

    Grand Junction
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,686 $9,000
    Room and Board $11,168 $11,265
    Books $1,560 $1,560
    Other Expenses $3,110 $3,110
    Total $24,524 $24,935
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,638 $12,850
    $30,001 - $48k $13,761 $13,992
    $48,001 - $75k $15,258 $15,514
    $75,001 - $110k $18,618 $18,930
    $110,001+ $20,122 $20,459
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver

    Denver
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,693 $10,021
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $1,400 $1,460
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $10,093 $11,481
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,223 $15,041
    $30,001 - $48k $12,721 $14,470
    $48,001 - $75k $14,567 $16,570
    $75,001 - $110k $16,749 $19,052
    $110,001+ $19,569 $22,260
  • University of Northern Colorado

    Greeley
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,062 $10,666
    Room and Board $11,310 $12,152
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,104 $3,290
    Total $25,676 $27,308
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,876 $13,694
    $30,001 - $48k $12,561 $13,359
    $48,001 - $75k $14,062 $14,956
    $75,001 - $110k $17,247 $18,343
    $110,001+ $20,511 $21,815
  • Red Rocks Community College

    Lakewood
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,379 $4,379
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $1,800 $1,800
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $6,179 $6,179
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,886 $8,886
    $30,001 - $48k $9,168 $9,168
    $48,001 - $75k $13,167 $13,167
    $75,001 - $110k $15,835 $15,835
    $110,001+ $17,278 $17,278
  • Colorado State University-Pueblo

    Pueblo
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,591 $9,005
    Room and Board $10,930 $11,170
    Books $1,800 $1,854
    Other Expenses $5,356 $5,516
    Total $26,677 $27,545
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,777 $11,128
    $30,001 - $48k $11,947 $12,336
    $48,001 - $75k $14,603 $15,078
    $75,001 - $110k $18,168 $18,759
    $110,001+ $19,266 $19,893
  • Western State Colorado University

    Gunnison
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,646 $10,662
    Room and Board $9,874 $9,990
    Books $1,300 $1,300
    Other Expenses $3,105 $3,150
    Total $24,925 $25,102
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,976 $12,061
    $30,001 - $48k $13,037 $13,130
    $48,001 - $75k $17,772 $17,898
    $75,001 - $110k $18,893 $19,027
    $110,001+ $21,338 $21,490

Private CO Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Colorado Christian University

    Lakewood
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $34,750 $35,436
    Room and Board $11,694 $11,194
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $886 $500
    Total $48,330 $48,130
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $22,965 $22,870
    $30,001 - $48k $24,059 $23,959
    $48,001 - $75k $21,688 $21,598
    $75,001 - $110k $23,739 $23,641
    $110,001+ $29,106 $28,986
  • Colorado College

    Colorado Springs
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $60,864 $62,070
    Room and Board $13,392 $13,668
    Books $1,240 $1,240
    Other Expenses $2,584 $2,584
    Total $78,080 $79,562
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,023 $10,213
    $30,001 - $48k $12,489 $12,726
    $48,001 - $75k $17,057 $17,381
    $75,001 - $110k $27,976 $28,507
    $110,001+ $45,085 $45,941
  • University of Denver

    Denver
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $53,775 $54,819
    Room and Board $14,178 $14,674
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,976 $3,021
    Total $71,929 $73,514
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,488 $20,939
    $30,001 - $48k $19,490 $19,919
    $48,001 - $75k $25,017 $25,568
    $75,001 - $110k $27,569 $28,176
    $110,001+ $43,170 $44,121
  • Regis University

    Denver
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $38,558 $39,610
    Room and Board $12,838 $12,962
    Books $1,800 $1,460
    Other Expenses $3,104 $3,148
    Total $56,300 $57,180
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,978 $19,275
    $30,001 - $48k $20,203 $20,519
    $48,001 - $75k $21,510 $21,846
    $75,001 - $110k $26,091 $26,499
    $110,001+ $29,647 $30,110
 

View Other States

Select a state from the map below to view colleges in nearby states.

If you found the information of this page useful, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Get great information on all aspects of planning for college. We have interviews with experts, students and their stories, and the latest news in college admissions. Listen to each half-hour episode while you’re driving or working out. Use your favorite podcast app, iTunes, or listen directly at the website.