Nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains, Colorado's sunny skies, four distinct seasons and varied geography make it an amazing place to study and live, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, Boulder Colorado was recently named a top city for tech jobs. The Centennial State is also a great spot for food, beer, sports, art and music, making it an attractive location for the younger set. Colorado also boasts some top-tier schools for computer science and information technology. The best computer science colleges in Colorado include the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado School of Mines in Golden, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
This page will explore the best computer science schools in Colorado. We'll also look at potential career outcomes for tech graduates in-state, including the top paying cities and jobs for IT pros in Colorado.
Best CS Schools in Colorado
Research and compare the top-ranked computer schools in Colorado.
University of Colorado - Boulder
The University of Colorado in Boulder is the top computer science school in Colorado. CU Boulder's new $20 million artificial intelligence center is just one selling point of its innovative comp-sci program. The school's cutting-edge CS curricula includes subjects like machine learning, robotics and wearable systems.
- Graduate and Undergrad CS degrees in:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Hardware & Software Engineering
- Cybersecurity and Policy
- Mobile and Wearable Systems
- Numerical & Scientific Computing
- View all programs at UC Boulder
- Campus Locations:
- CU Boulder: Boulder, CO 80309
- CU Denver: 1201 Larimer St. | Denver, CO 80204
- CU Colorado Springs: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. | Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- CU Anschutz Medical Campus: 1635 Aurora Ct. | Aurora, CO 80045
Colorado School of Mines
Originally named for its rich history spearheading industrial innovation in the American West, Colorado School of Mines is a unique institution well deserving of its spot among Colorado's best CS schools. The numbers line up - over 95% of bachelor's, master's and PhD students graduate with a positive outcome (employment or continued education) within one year of graduation.
- Computer Science & Engineering Programs:
- Applied Mathematics and Statistics
- Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- Underground Construction & Tunnel Engineering
- View all programs at UCF
- Campus Locations:
- Main Campus: 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401
Top Paying Tech Careers in Colorado
Here's how much you can earn in Colorado's top paying information technology and computer science roles.
| IT Career Path | Average Salary in CO |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $172,020 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $140,690 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $140,240 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $135,540 |
| Database Architect | $133,860 |
| Network Architect | $124,800 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Tech Pay in Colorado
These Colorado metropolitan areas pay the top salaries to computing and IT professionals.
| Location in CO | Hourly IT Wage | Annual IT Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $52.78 | $109,780 |
| Denver, CO | $51.15 | $106,390 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $47.64 | $99,090 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $44.20 | $96,090 |
| Greeley, CO | $41.97 | $87,300 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some popular questions from prospective computer science students in Colorado.
Is University of Colorado Boulder a good school for computer science?
Yes, CU Boulder is the best computer science school in Colorado and 38th in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Online Computer Schools in Colorado
These top-rated computer science universities are accepting applicants from Colorado.
