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Best Engineering Colleges in Colorado
Updated : 8th August 2025
Shobhit Agarwal
Colorado School Of Mines
Dreaming of building the future? Colorado’s top engineering colleges are where innovation meets opportunity—offering world-class programs, cutting-edge labs, and deep industry ties. But with so many choices, picking the wrong school could leave you with outdated skills and limited career prospects. This guide uncovers the 7 best engineering colleges in Colorado, each blending academic rigor, hands-on experience, and a vibrant campus life—so you can graduate ready to lead in an ever-evolving engineering world. Here is the list ranked from top to bottom.
1. Colorado School of Mines
About the School:
A public R1 university in Golden focused on applied science and engineering excellence.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Mining Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- World-class STEM reputation and consistently ranked among the best engineering schools in Colorado
- Top ROI for graduates, especially low-income students
- First-of-its-kind graduate program in space resources
- Rigorous field session experience building practical, hands-on skills
- Strong research options in energy, materials, and sustainability
- Honors programs focusing on leadership and interdisciplinary thinking
- High early-career salary for graduates (~$74k average)
- Supportive cohort-based learning environments for underrepresented groups
- Close industry connections including mining and energy sectors
Career Outcomes:
95% of students report positive post-graduation outcomes (job or grad school)
Strong placement in energy, infrastructure, and resource sectors
Alumni often secure high-paying technical roles
Campus Vibe:
Intense, collaborative STEM focus with a hands-on work ethic
Cohort camaraderie from rigorous programs
Innovative, field-driven learning culture
Supportive yet challenging environment for motivated students
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2. University of Colorado Boulder
About the School:
A leading public research institution in Boulder with top-25 engineering graduate programs and strong aerospace credentials.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- Graduate engineering programs ranked among top 25 nationally
- Aerospace department ranked #10 among public universities
- Home to the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research focusing on orbital mechanics and remote sensing
- Strong interdisciplinary research across engineering fields
- R1 Carnegie Classification with very high research activity
- Proximity to national labs and aerospace industry
- ATQ labs like UAV fabrication and experimental aerodynamics
- Highly funded research via NSF and philanthropy
- Vibrant campus with Nobel laureates on faculty
- Active student outreach and advisory communities (like CSEL and CSUAC)
Career Outcomes:
Graduates enter aerospace, biomedical, civil, and energy sectors
Strong placement in research and tech industries around Boulder
Many continue into Ph.D. programs or advanced study
Campus Vibe:
Intellectually driven with a high emphasis on innovation
Vibrant college town nestled near tech and natural landscapes
Collaborative but competitive academic energy
Access to elite research and real-world applications
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3. Colorado State University (Fort Collins)
About the School:
Large public university offering a wide array of engineering programs with strong outreach and support.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- Broad ABET-accredited engineering offerings across disciplines
- Consistent national rankings in multiple engineering majors
- High early-career salary outcomes (~$70k average)
- Strong plans secured outcomes (~91%)
- Robust career services and internship pipelines
- Growing research portfolio and facilities
- Emphasis on interdisciplinary and applied learning
- Supportive mentorship and student engagement programs
- Access to supportive alumni network statewide
- Balanced campus life—academic rigor with inclusive community
Career Outcomes:
91% of students have secured jobs or grad school plans
Graduates work in engineering consulting, tech, and government roles
Strong retention in state and regional industries
Campus Vibe:
Community-focused with real-world application mindset
Supportive and collaborative learning culture
Mid-sized university feel fostering connection
Balanced student life with outdoors and academic involvement
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4. United States Air Force Academy
About the School:
Federal military academy offering elite engineering education combined with military leadership training.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Systems Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- Unique blend of engineering and leadership training
- Highly structured and disciplined learning environment
- ABET-accredited engineering programs
- Exceptional academic resources and facilities
- Strong emphasis on ethics and duty in engineering practice
- Guaranteed commissioning and career path after graduation
- Access to military engineering and aerospace industry
- High retention of technical skills for defense sectors
- Low tuition with full cadet support
- Cohort-based military learning and shared mission focus
Career Outcomes:
Graduates commissioned as officers with strong technical capability
High placement in aerospace, defense, and government engineering roles
Leadership roles early in career due to training structure
Campus Vibe:
Highly disciplined and mission-focused campus life
Close-knit cadet community with shared purpose
Intense training balanced with scholarly engineering rigor
Strong esprit de corps and leadership identity
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5. University of Colorado Denver
About the School:
Urban public research university integrating engineering with industry relevance.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Civil Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- Strong industry ties in Denver for internships and employment
- ABET-accredited, practical engineering programs
- Diverse opportunities in urban infrastructure and biotech
- High financial aid rates for engineering students
- Emphasis on experiential learning and real-world projects
- Close connection to public-sector and private-sector partnerships
- Inclusive and diverse student body
- Growing robotics and design lab capacity
- Supportive academic advising and career services
- Access to Denver tech ecosystem and startups
Career Outcomes:
Graduates employed in urban infrastructure, biotech, and tech industries
Good placement in regional engineering roles
Many continue into professional graduate programs
Campus Vibe:
Diverse, inclusive campus with real-world focus
Collaborative and urban-integrated engineering culture
Dynamic energy drawn from city innovation
Hands-on, career-ready learning environment
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6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
About the School:
Growing public university offering innovation-focused, ABET-accredited engineering degrees.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Software Engineering
Unique Advantages:
- Ranked in top 10 among public engineering schools historically
- ABET accreditation across key engineering programs
- Unique Bachelor of Innovation program with industry partnerships
- Proximity to defense contractors and national labs
- Strong innovation culture with defense and tech verticals
- Hands-on curriculum oriented to regional industry
- Collaborative coursework with business college integration
- Growing engineering research presence
- Supportive faculty and small class sizes
- Regional alumni network in tech and defense
Career Outcomes:
Graduates working in defense, aerospace, and tech sectors
Strong internship connection to national labs and industry
High regional employment due to location adjacency
Campus Vibe:
Focused, innovation-driven environment
Close faculty collaboration and mentorship
Supportive and practical engineering culture
Connected to defense and tech ecosystems
Want to compare this college with others? Try our Free College Comparator Tool for instant comparisons.
7. University of Denver (Ritchie School of Engineering & CS)
About the School:
Private research university offering personalized engineering and computer science programs in Denver.
Top Engineering Departments:
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
Unique Advantages:
- Small class sizes and faculty accessibility
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with liberal arts
- High financial aid availability (~99%)
- Strong connections to Denver’s tech and biomedical sectors
- Emphasis on ethics, innovation, and societal impact
- Cutting-edge research in bioengineering and robotics
- Personalized learning and mentoring
- Creative campus culture blending engineering and arts
- Solid early-career placement in tech, healthcare, and infrastructure
- Urban campus with entrepreneurial ecosystem
Career Outcomes:
Graduates placed in tech, biomedical engineering, and design roles
Strong networking via Denver’s growing industry
Many pursue advanced study or entrepreneurial paths
Campus Vibe:
Creative, inclusive community with interdisciplinary focus
Supportive and personalized learning environment
Urban, entrepreneurial campus culture
Engineering grounded in ethical and social awareness
Want to compare this college with others? Try our Free College Comparator Tool for instant comparisons.
Engineer Your Future with the Right Choice
Choosing the right engineering college isn’t just about rankings—it’s about finding a place that matches your ambitions, fuels your creativity, and opens doors to future opportunities. Colorado’s top engineering schools each bring something unique to the table, but the best one for you will align with your career goals, learning style, and vision for the future. Use our College Comparator Tool to compare quickly by tuition fees, SAT and ACT scores, Popular Majors, Admission Rates and more, all in one place. Thanks for reading. Hope it was helpful.