[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Studying online in Colorado can simultaneously open up prospects in your career and in the great outdoors.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online colleges in Colorado offer undergraduate and graduate degrees on a flexible, convenient schedule. Students may also find an online degree more affordable than on-campus options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online students can study through one of the four campuses within the University of Colorado (CU) System or through Colorado State University (CSU), which offers online programs through CSU-Global. CSU-Global is as the [hen-ui-link href=”https://csuglobal.edu/about/news/whats-new-u/csu-global-first-and-only-fully-online-state-university-celebrates-10-year-anniversary/”]first independent, fully online[/hen-ui-link] public university in the United States. Online students can also attend technical and two-year institutions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online colleges in Colorado provide educational programs in disciplines that align with the state’s employment needs and opportunities. Manufacturing, health and wellness, and outdoor recreation are all big employers in the state, so many online programs in Colorado cater to those sectors.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The rankings below offer insight into what the best online colleges in Colorado are and how they can work for you.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Featured Online Schools[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in Colorado[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in Colorado[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With [hen-ui-link href=”https://choosecolorado.com/key-industries/”]14 major industrial sectors[/hen-ui-link], Colorado offers employment opportunities across academic disciplines. Half of the top industries in Colorado incorporate an aspect of STEM, while recreation and tourism careers are also popular. Colorado ranked in the top five of states for start-up activity in 2015, and it is the top employer in the private aerospace sector in the United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the cost of living index in Colorado is [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/colorado”]above the national average[/hen-ui-link], health, grocery, and utility costs are comparable with those found throughout the United States. Housing remains the top expense for individuals living in Colorado — a cost that [hen-ui-link href=”https://drcog.org/sites/drcog/files/resources/Regional%20Housing%20Strategy_0.pdf/”]varies by region[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In Colorado, unemployment remained relatively consistent through 2020, topping out at 7% in August. In January 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment was [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.co.htm/”]down to 6.6%[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Below are a few of the highest paying roles employing more than 2,500 individuals in Colorado. Salary information applies specifically to Colorado, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest Paying Careers[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm/”]$219,310[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Airline Pilots[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm/”]$200,040[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm/”]5%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Architectural and Engineering Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm/”]$178,120[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm/”]3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer and Information Systems Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm/”]$118,220[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm/”]10%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Marketing Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm/”]$172,140[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/”]$170,500[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_co.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects the highest paying roles employing more than 10,000 professionals in Colorado. Salary figures apply specifically to Colorado, while job growth data refers to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Most Common Careers in Colorado[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Lawyers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm/”]$148,330[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]$144,390[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Software Developers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm/”]$112,700[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm/”]22%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Construction Managers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm/”]$107,000[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Management Analysts[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm/”]$102,840[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm/”]11%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Civil Engineers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm/”]$98,520[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm/”]2%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_co.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities have expanded [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online education[/hen-ui-link] options for students. This holds true for undergraduate and graduate learners alike. Online colleges in Colorado offer programs that mirror on-campus degrees. Some online programs incorporate [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]hybrid components[/hen-ui-link] to supplement online coursework or include both asynchronous and synchronous learning options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Common online [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/associate”]associate degrees[/hen-ui-link] in Colorado include business administration, management, accounting, and health administration services. The foundational knowledge and skills built through an online associate degree can prepare graduates for entry-level careers, like accounting assistant and office manager. Colorado students can earn [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ccaurora.edu/online”]statewide guaranteed transfer[/hen-ui-link] degrees in areas such as biology, economics, and English — ideal for individuals who [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]plan to transfer[/hen-ui-link] to a bachelor’s program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online graduate programs in Colorado tend to correspond with the top industries in the state. This meets the needs of working professionals, traditional students, and employers in the state. For example, CSU-Global offers online master’s degrees in [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.online.colostate.edu/degrees/graduate-degrees.dot/”]10 areas[/hen-ui-link], including agricultural sciences, communication, business, and engineering.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similarly, students at [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.cu.edu/programs/online-masters/”]CU Online[/hen-ui-link] can earn online master’s degrees in areas like business analytics, nursing, and information systems. Master’s degrees in management and organization, financial and risk management, and supply chain management prepare individuals for top-paying and in-demand roles, like construction manager and management analyst.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Most Prestigious College in Colorado?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best colleges in Colorado include public schools, like the CU and CSU systems, and private institutions, like the University of Denver.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does Colorado Have Good Colleges?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colorado is home to good two- and four-year colleges. Specialized technical institutions include the Colorado School of Mines and the United States Air Force Academy.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Online College Accredited in Colorado?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online programs in Colorado typically hold accreditation through their host institutions’ regional or national accreditation status. Learners should also check to see if individual programs have specialized accreditation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Melissa Sartore” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618860719/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/author-no-image.jpg” img-alt=”Melissa Sartore” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Melissa Sartore[/hen-ui-link] holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”/careers/career-guide/jobs-colorado-springs/,/careers/career-guide/best-jobs-for-next-decade/,https://thebestschools.org/rankings/by-state/best-colleges-universities-by-state/”][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]