Educational Attainment
Colorado has one of the most educated populations in the country, with 44.9% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, 2nd nationally.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502CO).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 44.9 | 35 |
- •Colorado ranks 2nd in the nation for share of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Schools
Colorado has roughly 1,900 public schools serving students across 178 school districts, from Denver Public Schools to small rural mountain districts.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Schools (thousands) | 1.9 | 98 |
Universities
Colorado is home to major universities including the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University and the Colorado School of Mines.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| University enrollment (thousands) | 38 | 18000 |
- •The Colorado School of Mines in Golden is one of the top engineering schools in the U.S.
Graduation Rates
Colorado's public high school graduation rate is about 83.3%, slightly below the national average.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 83.3 | 87 |
Student Enrollment
Colorado's public K-12 enrollment is about 880,000 students, with Denver Public Schools as the largest district.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 enrollment (millions) | 0.88 | 49.4 |
Student-Teacher Ratios
Colorado's student-teacher ratio is about 17.5:1, close to the national average.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 17.5 | 15.9 |