Each institution has its own entry. Overall rankings use the U.S. News 2026 Best Colleges category where applicable.
Universities and specialized colleges
Colorado School of Mines
Public research university
- Address
- 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401
- 2026 national ranking
- #80 National Universities · U.S. News Best Colleges 2026
- Academic focus
- Engineering, applied science, earth, energy and quantitative fields
University of Colorado Boulder
Public research university
- Address
- 552 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309
- 2026 national ranking
- #97 National Universities · U.S. News Best Colleges 2026
- Academic focus
- Flagship CU campus; engineering, aerospace, physics, environmental science, business and arts
University of Denver
Private research university
- Address
- 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208
- 2026 national ranking
- #117 National Universities · U.S. News Best Colleges 2026
- Academic focus
- Business, international studies, law, psychology, social work and liberal arts
University of Colorado Denver
Public research university
- Address
- 1201 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80204
- 2026 national ranking
- National Universities category; verify the current number directly with U.S. News
- Academic focus
- Urban CU campus with business, architecture, engineering, public affairs and arts programs
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Public university
- Address
- 890 Auraria Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204
- 2026 national ranking
- Regional Universities West category—not ranked in the National Universities list
- Academic focus
- Applied undergraduate and graduate programs on the Auraria Campus
Regis University
Private Jesuit university
- Address
- 3333 Regis Blvd., Denver, CO 80221
- 2026 national ranking
- National Universities category; current overall number should be verified with U.S. News
- Academic focus
- Jesuit liberal arts, business, computing, education, nursing and health professions
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Public academic health campus
- Address
- 13001 E. 17th Pl., Aurora, CO 80045
- 2026 national ranking
- Specialized graduate health campus—not ranked as a separate undergraduate National University
- Academic focus
- Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dental medicine, public health and biomedical research
Colorado Christian University
Private Christian university
- Address
- 8787 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226
- 2026 national ranking
- Regional Universities West category—not in the National Universities list
- Academic focus
- Christian undergraduate, graduate and adult programs
Naropa University
Private university
- Address
- 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302
- 2026 national ranking
- Not listed in the U.S. News National Universities ranking
- Academic focus
- Contemplative education, psychology, environmental studies, writing and the arts
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Private art and design college
- Address
- 1600 Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80214
- 2026 national ranking
- Specialized arts institution; National Universities ranking not applicable
- Academic focus
- Fine arts, illustration, animation, graphic design, fashion and interior design
Iliff School of Theology
Private graduate theological school
- Address
- 2323 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80210
- 2026 national ranking
- Graduate theological institution; National Universities ranking not applicable
- Academic focus
- Graduate theology, ministry, social justice and religious studies
Community and technical colleges
These schools do not participate in the National Universities ranking.
Community College of Denver
- Address
- 1111 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204
- Type
- Public community college on the Auraria Campus
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Community College of Aurora
- Address
- 16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80011
- Type
- Public community college serving Aurora and the east metro
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Red Rocks Community College
- Address
- 13300 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228
- Type
- Public community college with Lakewood and Arvada locations
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Front Range Community College · Westminster
- Address
- 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster, CO 80031
- Type
- Public community college; additional Boulder County and Larimer County locations
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Arapahoe Community College
- Address
- 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, CO 80120
- Type
- Public community college with Littleton, Parker and Castle Rock locations
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Emily Griffith Technical College
- Address
- 1860 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80203
- Type
- Public technical college offering workforce and apprenticeship pathways
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable
Pickens Technical College
- Address
- 500 Airport Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011
- Type
- Public technical college operated by Aurora Public Schools
- National Universities ranking
- Not applicable