Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in Colorado
20
Meet the Ranking Threshold
20
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$4,724
With a Fully Online Option
1
General Studies Associate Degrees in Colorado
General studies associate degrees in Colorado make up 20 of the state's 24 general studies programs, and every one of the 20 meets the ranking threshold. Fifteen are at community colleges and two-year state colleges, and five are at public universities. All 20 are public.
Lamar Community College has the top score at 68.8. What gets it there is a 55% graduation rate paired with $4,422 in resident tuition and required fees, on 27 degrees a year, and Trinidad State College (66.7) is built the same way, 55% at $4,468 on 21 degrees. Colorado State University-Fort Collins sits third at 66.6 with a different profile: 67% of its students graduate and it awards 205 degrees a year, but it charges $13,009. Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, fourth at 62.5, graduates 56% for $5,582.
The small rural colleges, Lamar, Trinidad State, Northeastern and Morgan Community College, each award 19 to 27 degrees a year and graduate 45% to 56%. The large Denver-area colleges run the other way: Front Range (190 degrees, 35%, $4,740), the Community College of Aurora (96, 33%, $4,030), Red Rocks (56, 32%, $4,707), Arapahoe (60, 29%, $4,308) and the Community College of Denver (21, 20%, $4,902). Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs is the largest, with 377 degrees at $4,302 and a 21% graduation rate.
The 20 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Colorado
The best general studies associate degrees in Colorado are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Colorado. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
Lamar Community College
Colorado
68.8- Public
- College graduation rate
- 55%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,422 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 27
About the Program
Based in Lamar, Colorado, Lamar Community College is a public community college with 690 students on its rolls. The program's last federal report shows 27 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 24 in every 100 programs measured here. Across the whole college, 55% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 90% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $4,422 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $7,052. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 90th percentile.
2
Trinidad State College
Colorado
66.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 55%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,468 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 21
About the Program
Some 1,613 students attend Trinidad State College, a public college in Trinidad, Colorado. It conferred 21 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 17% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 55%, the 90th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $4,468 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $7,100. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 90th percentile.
3
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Colorado
66.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 67%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $13,009 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 205
About the Program
Some 34,096 students attend Colorado State University-Fort Collins, a public university in Fort Collins, Colorado. It conferred 205 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 76% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, 67% graduate, and that beats 99 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $13,009 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $33,765. Getting in is not automatic, because 89% of applicants are admitted. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 99th percentile.
4
Northeastern Junior College
Colorado
62.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 56%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $5,582 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 25
About the Program
Sterling, Colorado is home to Northeastern Junior College, a public community college of 1,684 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 25 associate's degrees, a count at the 21st percentile for size. Of the students who start at Northeastern Junior College, 56% graduate, and that beats 92 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $5,582 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $8,045. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 92nd percentile.
5
Morgan Community College
Colorado
62.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 45%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,127 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 19
About the Program
Fort Morgan, Colorado is home to Morgan Community College, a public college of 1,626 students. It conferred 19 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 15% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Morgan Community College, 45% graduate, and that beats 77 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $4,127 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $16,360. On price it does best, reaching the 80th percentile.
6
Front Range Community College
Colorado
61.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 35%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,740 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 190
About the Program
Some 21,970 students attend Front Range Community College, a public college in Westminster, Colorado. During the most recent year on record it awarded 190 associate's degrees, a count at the 74th percentile for size. A 35% graduation rate puts the college at the 51st percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $4,740 a year in state against $16,974 out of state, so on price it sits at the 68th percentile. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 74th percentile.
7
Aims Community College
Colorado
60.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 40%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $3,170 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 20
About the Program
Based in Greeley, Colorado, Aims Community College is a public college with 8,542 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 20 associate's degrees, a count at the 16th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 40% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 65% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $3,170 a year as a resident and $11,306 otherwise. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 91st percentile.
8
Community College of Aurora
Colorado
59.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 33%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,030 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 96
About the Program
Aurora, Colorado is home to Community College of Aurora, a public community college of 8,833 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 96 associate's degrees, a count at the 57th percentile for size. A 33% graduation rate puts the college at the 45th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $4,030 a year in state against $15,680 out of state, so on price it sits at the 82nd percentile. Its strongest mark is price, at the 82nd percentile.
9
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Colorado
54.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 46%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,017 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 87
About the Program
Denver, Colorado is home to University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, a public university of 23,124 students. Some 87 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 54% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 46% graduation rate puts the college at the 79th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $10,017 a year as a resident and $28,209 otherwise. Admission is selective enough to plan for, with 75% of applicants accepted. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 79th percentile.
10
Pueblo Community College
Colorado
51.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,883 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 102
About the Program
Some 7,284 students attend Pueblo Community College, a public college in Pueblo, Colorado. The program's last federal report shows 102 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 60 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 31%, the 37th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees run $4,883 a year in state against $17,116 out of state, so on price it sits at the 65th percentile. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 65th percentile.
11
Otero College
Colorado
50.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 38%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,418 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 12
About the Program
La Junta, Colorado is home to Otero College, a public community college of 959 students. The program's last federal report shows 12 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 5 in every 100 programs measured here. A 38% graduation rate puts the college at the 59th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $4,418 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $7,048. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 74th percentile.
12
Red Rocks Community College
Colorado
49.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,707 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 56
About the Program
Some 8,419 students attend Red Rocks Community College, a public college in Lakewood, Colorado. It conferred 56 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 42% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 32% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 41% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $4,707 a year as a resident and $16,947 otherwise. On price it does best, reaching the 68th percentile.
13
Pikes Peak State College
Colorado
49.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 21%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,302 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 377
About the Program
Some 12,556 students attend Pikes Peak State College, a public college in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the most recent year on record it awarded 377 associate's degrees, a count at the 87th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 21% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 11% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $4,302 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $16,534. What lifts it most is the number of degrees it awards, where it reaches the 87th percentile.
14
Arapahoe Community College
Colorado
47.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 29%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,308 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 60
About the Program
Some 15,012 students attend Arapahoe Community College, a public college in Littleton, Colorado. The program's last federal report shows 60 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 44 in every 100 programs measured here. Of the students who start at Arapahoe Community College, 29% graduate, and that beats 29 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $4,308 a year in state against $16,542 out of state, so on price it sits at the 76th percentile. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 76th percentile.
15
University of Northern Colorado
Colorado
46.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 51%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,528 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 20
About the Program
Some 8,869 students attend University of Northern Colorado, a public university in Greeley, Colorado. It conferred 20 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 16% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 51% graduation rate puts the college at the 86th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $11,528 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $25,940. Admission is selective enough to plan for, with 86% of applicants accepted. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 86th percentile.
16
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado
45.2- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 34%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,454 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 13
About the Program
Rangely, Colorado is home to Colorado Northwestern Community College, a public college of 1,271 students. Some 13 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 7% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Colorado Northwestern Community College, 34% graduate, and that beats 48 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $4,454 a year as a resident and $7,084 otherwise. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. On price it does best, reaching the 73rd percentile.
17
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Colorado
44.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,780 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 337
About the Program
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver, Colorado that enrolls 18,453 students. Some 337 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 85% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 32% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 41% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $10,780 a year in state against $29,503 out of state, so on price it sits at the 16th percentile. Admission is close to open, with 99% of applicants accepted. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 85th percentile.
18
Colorado State University Pueblo
Colorado
43.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 40%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,401 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 43
About the Program
Based in Pueblo, Colorado, Colorado State University Pueblo is a public university with 6,851 students on its rolls. Some 43 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 34% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 40% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 65% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $9,401 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $17,242. Admission is close to open, with 95% of applicants accepted. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 65th percentile.
19
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado
35.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 27%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $5,100 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 35
About the Program
Glenwood Springs, Colorado is home to Colorado Mountain College, a public college of 5,494 students. The program's last federal report shows 35 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 29 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 27%, the 24th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees run $5,100 a year in state against $12,540 out of state, so on price it sits at the 58th percentile. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 58th percentile.
20
Community College of Denver
Colorado
27.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 20%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,902 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 21
About the Program
Community College of Denver is a public college in Denver, Colorado that enrolls 7,965 students. Some 21 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 17% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 20% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 9% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $4,902 a year in state against $17,135 out of state, so on price it sits at the 64th percentile. Its strongest mark is price, at the 64th percentile.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Colorado?
A general studies associate degree in Colorado costs $4,724 a year in resident tuition and required fees at the median of the 20 programs, on 2023-24 published rates, and the range runs from $3,170 at Aims Community College in Greeley to $13,009 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The 15 community and two-year state colleges all sit between $3,170 and $5,582, from the Community College of Aurora at $4,030 up to Northeastern Junior College at $5,582. The five universities that award the two-year degree charge at least double: $9,401 at Colorado State University Pueblo, $10,017 at the University of Colorado Denver, $10,780 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, $11,528 at the University of Northern Colorado and $13,009 at Fort Collins.
The state aid built for a two-year student is the College Opportunity Fund, a stipend for eligible undergraduates that is paid on a per credit hour basis directly to the college you're enrolled at and comes off in-state tuition at participating colleges. Because it's paid per credit, a part-time term draws less of it than a full-time one, and it only works at a participating college, so ask before you compare prices.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Colorado?
A general studies associate degree will transfer in Colorado course by course, and as a whole degree only if it's an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science rather than an Associate of General Studies. GT Pathways, the state's 31 credit-hour general education framework, is what public colleges must include within their degree offerings, and any GT Pathways course you pass with a C- or better is guaranteed to transfer and count in its GT Pathways category, with a guarantee that lasts 10 years.
Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements let you earn a 60-credit associate degree with designation and transfer to a four-year institution with junior status, and AA and AS graduates with a 2.5 GPA get guaranteed admission to every public four-year institution except Mines. But the Department of Higher Education states that "Currently AGS and AAS degrees are not included in STAAs". If the degree is an AGS, your courses carry the guarantee and the degree as a whole does not, so ask which it is.
If you left a Colorado community college for a university with at least 15 credits and now hold 70 in total, within the last 10 years, Colorado Reverse Transfer can award the associate degree, and the degree audit can land on an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of General Studies.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Colorado?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Colorado pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Colorado
How to choose a general studies associate degree program in Colorado is a question of what the price difference is for, because the 15 community and state colleges span only $3,170 to $5,582 and differ far more in completion and size than in cost. Lamar and Trinidad State graduate 55% on small cohorts, Front Range and Pueblo Community College graduate 35% and 31% on 190 and 102 degrees a year, and Pikes Peak State graduates 21% on 377. The $13,009 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins comes with a 67% graduation rate, and the $10,780 at Metropolitan State University of Denver with 337 degrees a year and a 32% rate.
If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, check three things before you enroll: whether the degree is an Associate of General Studies, since Colorado's statewide articulation agreements currently exclude the AGS, which GT Pathways courses are built into it, and whether the four-year college you want admits general studies graduates as juniors. If you need to study online, Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely is the one program at this level with a fully online option, at $4,454 with a 34% graduation rate and 13 degrees a year.
If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in Colorado have their own page.