Best Online Colleges in Colorado

Benefits of Studying Online in Colorado

Colorado is a special place for many reasons, and the following data will only add to its legacy of excellence. With an estimated population of 5.8 million people, Colorado stands as the 21st largest state in America, as well as 2nd most populous of the Rocky Mountain region - accounting for nearly 1.7% of the nation's populace. The population resides primarily around Denver, which is the state's largest city and capitol. At just over 104,000 square miles, the Centennial State is the 8th largest in terms of area, and serves as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.

Employment Stats

In terms of economic health, Colorado touts a robust labor force of just under 2.9 million people, making it the 21st largest in terms of workers (accounting for nearly 1.9% of the nation's total). Since 2021, the total number of workers has jumped by a total of 116,000 (or 4.17%), making it the 7th fastest growing state in terms of number of employed persons. Additionally, Colorado features a significantly higher amount of people employed than the national median, outnumbering it by nearly 924,000 (which translates to a 47% difference).

The Centennial State outdid Maryland for the 21st spot, as it employed 167,000 more people (a margin of 6.12%). On the other hand, Colorado just missed out to a narrow lead from Missouri, which came in at 20th place with just 32,000 more employees (only 1.1% more than Colorado). Finally, Colorado was 84% off of the national leader (California), which should come as no surprise given that it's population is nearly 3 times smaller than California's.

Job Opportunities

Colorado is home to the 10th most diversified job selection among the states, with a total of 762 unique occupations. Compared to the national median of 722, Colorado has a 5.5% advantage which adds an extra 40 job types to the mix. Those jobs are mainly concentrated in the tech, energy, financial services and healthcare industries.

Colorado has some of the best universities in the country, especially for business related courses. The University of Colorado Boulder is a standout, as is the University of Denver, which is also located in the same city. Colorado State University (Fort Collins) also packs a punch and is home to roughly 35,000 students, so it’s no small operation. Aside from the schools, Colorado boasts some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation in the US, with the Rocky Mountains serving as the backdrop to nearly every adventure. Ski, hike, camp and climb your way through the weeks and months, while attending one of the state’s top universities.

All in all, the data paints an incredibly attractive picture of Colorado. It has an above-average number of employed persons, plus it's the fastest growing state (in terms of labor numbers) of the last few years. So in terms of career and educational opportunities, Colorado should definitely be considered by any student looking to pursue higher education, as the Centennial State will long stand as a beacon of opportunity for those looking to explore, learn, and grow.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)