Colorado · Computer Science

Best colleges for Computer Science in Colorado

Ranked by graduate earnings

Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Colorado Springs and University of Colorado Boulder are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. Colorado School of Mines leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $86,268, College Scorecard. University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Colorado Springs award the most Computer Science degrees in Colorado: 699, 373 and 141 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Colorado colleges offer Computer Science and award 2,180 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…

Institutions
17
offering CIP 11.07
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
2,180
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$75,501
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
7
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,407
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
46%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer and Information Research Scientists
$146,790
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Colorado School of Mines
Golden Public · Bachelor's degree
$86,26837382%—$23,000
2University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Public · Bachelor's degree
$77,76114147%—$26,863
3University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree
$77,38569974%—$19,974
4Regis University
Denver Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$75,5012761%$22,407$30,389
5Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree
$73,8749632%—$22,736
6University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$72,2508176%$29,726$22,000
7Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online
$67,53158819%$16,966$44,014

Colleges awarding the most Computer Science degrees in Colorado

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public
699$77,385
2Colorado School of Mines
Golden Public
373$86,268
3University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Public
141$77,761
4Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public
96$73,874
5University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit
81$72,250
6Front Range Community College
Westminster Public
52Not reported
7United States Air Force Academy
USAF Academy Public
39Not reported
8Community College of Aurora
Aurora Public
36Not reported
9Regis University
Denver Private not-for-profit
27$75,501
10Aims Community College
Greeley Public
4Not reported
Show the other 7 Colorado colleges offering Computer Science
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs (Online)Colorado SpringsPrivate for-profit588
Pikes Peak State CollegeColorado SpringsPublic16
Community College of DenverDenverPublic13
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittletonPublic9
Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewoodPublic3
Adams State UniversityAlamosaPublic2
University of Northern ColoradoGreeleyPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$140,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningMathematics

What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Colorado

Jobs in Colorado
400
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$146,790
median $133,160
Best-paying metro
$178,280
Boulder, CO

Related careers

Software Developers
$150,940 avg · 43,320 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$133,030 avg · 11,800 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$202,500 avg · 11,510 jobs
Data Scientists
$126,800 avg · 6,280 jobs
Information Security Analysts
$142,660 avg · 5,700 jobs
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$123,340 avg · 5,110 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in Colorado.

Which Colorado colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+

University of Colorado Boulder (699 graduates a year), Colorado School of Mines (373 graduates a year) and University of Colorado Colorado Springs (141 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Colorado colleges offer Computer Science.

What is the best college for Computer Science in Colorado?+

By graduate earnings, Colorado School of Mines leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $86,268, College Scorecard. University of Colorado Colorado Springs and University of Colorado Boulder follow. By degrees awarded, University of Colorado Boulder is the largest, with 699 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Computer Science program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Colorado School of Mines tops the list at $86,268. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Colorado?+

The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Colorado is $146,790 (median $133,160), across about 400 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer Science program?+

The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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