Best Secondary School Teacher programs in Colorado, ranked by enrollment
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school.
30 schools in Colorado run programs that feed this job, graduating 5,057 people a year. The job pays a median of $72,900 in Colorado across about 18,310 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Colorado that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
45 programs in Colorado that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Colorado (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Colorado page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.0101In Colorado → | 1,119 | 22.1% | 24 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 2 | CIP 45.1001In Colorado → | 665 | 13.2% | 22 | $35,631 | $23,538 |
| 3 | CIP 23.0101In Colorado → | 534 | 10.6% | 24 | $29,622 | $24,546 |
| 4 | CIP 54.0101In Colorado → | 483 | 9.6% | 21 | $31,217 | $24,000 |
| 5 | CIP 45.0601In Colorado → | 343 | 6.8% | 14 | $51,725 | $22,907 |
| 6 | CIP 50.0901In Colorado → | 327 | 6.5% | 14 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 7 | CIP 27.0101In Colorado → | 302 | 6.0% | 21 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 8 | CIP 40.0501In Colorado → | 277 | 5.5% | 20 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 9 | CIP 40.0801In Colorado → | 272 | 5.4% | 16 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 10 | CIP 13.1206In Colorado → | 87 | 1.7% | 2 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 11 | CIP 16.0905In Colorado → | 69 | 1.4% | 17 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 12 | CIP 16.0101In Colorado → | 58 | 1.1% | 5 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 13 | CIP 13.1312In Colorado → | 56 | 1.1% | 5 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 14 | CIP 13.1205In Colorado → | 55 | 1.1% | 5 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 15 | CIP 30.0101In Colorado → | 46 | 0.9% | 5 | $28,446 | $11,000 |
| 16 | CIP 13.1207In Colorado → | 39 | 0.8% | 1 | $41,127 | $25,500 |
| 17 | CIP 13.0201In Colorado → | 38 | 0.8% | 3 | $56,738 | $19,664 |
| 18 | CIP 13.1315In Colorado → | 30 | 0.6% | 2 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 19 | CIP 13.1305In Colorado → | 27 | 0.5% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 20 | CIP 50.0701In Colorado → | 27 | 0.5% | 3 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 21 | CIP 16.1200In Colorado → | 24 | 0.5% | 1 | — | $22,560 |
| 22 | CIP 13.1314In Colorado → | 22 | 0.4% | 4 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 23 | CIP 13.1302In Colorado → | 20 | 0.4% | 2 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 24 | CIP 45.0101In Colorado → | 18 | 0.4% | 5 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 25 | CIP 13.1316In Colorado → | 16 | 0.3% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 26 | CIP 13.1324In Colorado → | 13 | 0.3% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 27 | CIP 16.1601In Colorado → | 12 | 0.2% | 2 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 28 | CIP 19.0101In Colorado → | 12 | 0.2% | 1 | $31,910 | $26,500 |
| 29 | CIP 16.0300In Colorado → | 9 | 0.2% | 1 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 30 | CIP 16.0301In Colorado → | 9 | 0.2% | 1 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 31 | CIP 54.0102In Colorado → | 8 | 0.2% | 1 | $31,217 | $24,000 |
| 32 | CIP 13.1401In Colorado → | 7 | 0.1% | 3 | $36,305 | $26,250 |
| 33 | CIP 16.0302In Colorado → | 6 | 0.1% | 1 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 34 | CIP 16.0901In Colorado → | 6 | 0.1% | 4 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 35 | CIP 13.1311In Colorado → | 4 | 0.1% | 2 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 36 | CIP 13.1328In Colorado → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 37 | CIP 16.0500In Colorado → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 38 | CIP 16.0501In Colorado → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 39 | CIP 40.0101In Colorado → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $27,007 | $9,000 |
| 40 | CIP 45.1002In Colorado → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $35,631 | $23,538 |
| 41 | CIP 13.1335In Colorado → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 42 | CIP 13.1339In Colorado → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 43 | CIP 16.0402In Colorado → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 44 | CIP 16.0902In Colorado → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 45 | CIP 16.9999In Colorado → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $34,944 | $24,828 |
Top 25 schools in Colorado
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 11 of the 30 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · 18 feeder programs | 1,028 | Political Science and Government, General | $39,954 | 74% | — | 78% |
| 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · 14 feeder programs | 726 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $32,958 | 67% | — | 89% |
| 3 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO Public · 14 feeder programs | 521 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $34,562 | 46% | — | 75% |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · 13 feeder programs | 387 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $41,018 | 32% | — | 99% |
| 5 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Public · 18 feeder programs | 387 | Music, General | $26,944 | 51% | — | 86% |
| 6 | University of Denver Denver, CO Private not-for-profit · 15 feeder programs | 323 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $36,393 | 76% | $29,726 | 78% |
| 7 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Public · 11 feeder programs | 315 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $32,374 | 47% | — | 97% |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO Public · 13 feeder programs | 204 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $32,565 | 41% | — | 82% |
| 9 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO Public · 9 feeder programs | 172 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 88% | — | 14% |
| 10 | Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO Private not-for-profit · 11 feeder programs | 156 | Political Science and Government, General | — | 88% | $23,510 | 18% |
| 11 | Adams State University Alamosa, CO Public · 9 feeder programs | 123 | Teacher Education, Multiple Levels | — | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | Regis University Denver, CO Private not-for-profit · 16 feeder programs | 111 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 61% | $22,407 | 86% |
| 13 | Fort Lewis College Durango, CO Public · 10 feeder programs | 89 | English Language and Literature, General | $25,718 | 36% | — | 77% |
| 14 | Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · 9 feeder programs | 75 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $38,933 | 40% | — | 95% |
| 15 | Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO Public · 9 feeder programs | 69 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $29,881 | 50% | — | 100% |
| 16 | Front Range Community College Westminster, CO Public · 11 feeder programs | 59 | History, General | — | 35% | — | — |
| 17 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Private not-for-profit · 13 feeder programs | 52 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 64% | $23,447 | — |
| 18 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · 4 feeder programs | 43 | Chemistry, General | — | 82% | — | 61% |
| 19 | Community College of Aurora Aurora, CO Public · 8 feeder programs | 40 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 33% | — | — |
| 20 | Montessori Education Center of the Rockies Denver, CO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Montessori Teacher Education | — | 83% | $13,285 | 100% |
| 21 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO Public · 9 feeder programs | 35 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, CO Public · 11 feeder programs | 30 | American Sign Language (ASL) | — | 21% | — | — |
| 23 | Community College of Denver Denver, CO Public · 5 feeder programs | 23 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 20% | — | — |
| 24 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO Public · 7 feeder programs | 21 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 29% | — | — |
| 25 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 13 | Art Teacher Education | — | 32% | $28,500 | — |
All 30 schools in Colorado
Every school in Colorado with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder | Public | 1,028 | 18 |
| Colorado State University - Fort Collins | Fort Collins | Public | 726 | 14 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver | Public | 521 | 14 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | Public | 387 | 13 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Public | 387 | 18 |
| University of Denver | Denver | Private not-for-profit | 323 | 15 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Public | 315 | 11 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Public | 204 | 13 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy | Public | 172 | 9 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs | Private not-for-profit | 156 | 11 |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Public | 123 | 9 |
| Regis University | Denver | Private not-for-profit | 111 | 16 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango | Public | 89 | 10 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo | Public | 75 | 9 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison | Public | 69 | 9 |
What secondary school teachers earn in Colorado
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $72,040. Colorado pays above the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Colorado
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Secondary School Teachers page.
How to become a Secondary School Teacher
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Colorado
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Secondary School Teachers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 13.0201Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- 13.1203Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- 13.1205Secondary Education and Teaching
- 13.1206Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- 13.1207Montessori Teacher Education
- 13.1208Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education(no graduates reported)
- 13.1211Online Educator/Online Teaching
- 13.1212International Teaching and Learning
- 13.1213Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods
- 13.1302Art Teacher Education
- 13.1304Driver and Safety Teacher Education
- 13.1305English/Language Arts Teacher Education
- 13.1306Foreign Language Teacher Education
- 13.1307Health Teacher Education
- 13.1308Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
- 13.1309Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
- 13.1311Mathematics Teacher Education
- 13.1312Music Teacher Education
- 13.1314Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
- 13.1315Reading Teacher Education
- 13.1316Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
- 13.1317Social Science Teacher Education
- 13.1318Social Studies Teacher Education
- 13.1321Computer Teacher Education
- 13.1322Biology Teacher Education
Common questions
Answers for people weighing secondary school teachers programs in Colorado.
What degree do you need to become a Secondary School Teacher?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 1,119 degrees in Colorado in 2024-25, 22.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Secondary School Teacher?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 45 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Political Science and Government, English Language and Literature, History, plus 22 more. Together they graduate about 5,057 people a year in Colorado.
How much do secondary school teachers earn in Colorado?+
The median is $72,900 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 1.2% above the U.S. median of $72,040. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for secondary school teachers growing?+
BLS projects a -1.6% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 66,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Colorado?+
30 institutions in Colorado reported graduates from at least one of the 45 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do secondary school teachers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Teacher, English Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-2031.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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