When researching schools, keep in mind the huge financial difference state residency can make. For example, the University of Colorado charges undergraduate residents $6,000-$11,500 per year in tuition, depending on the chosen major and campus location. Non-residents pay a much higher rate of $15,000-$31,500 per year. In cases like this, a non-resident would save tens of thousands of dollars by moving to Colorado and establishing residency before starting school.
In general, earning a degree at a public school is going to cost a lot less than a private school. Public schools are funded mainly through state legislatures, so they don't have quite the overhead costs of a private institution. Colorado has nine public four-year schools, several of these have more than one branch location. The state also has a program called the "Colorado Opportunity Fund," which provides a $62 stipend for each credit-hour to qualified students at participating state schools. Some private school students are also eligible to receive the stipend, provided their school is not a "for-profit" institution.
Adams State is the least expensive, charging $2,486 per semester for in-state residents. Mesa State, Western State, The University of Northern Colorado, and Fort Lewis all charge $2,500 - $3,500 per semester for residents. The University of Colorado school system charges $3,750 - $4,500 per semester. The Colorado State University system costs $3,493 per semester. The Colorado School of Mines is the most expensive state school, charging about $6,000 per semester. The costs for out-of-state students is roughly triple the in-state cost at each school.
Colorado has over 100 private colleges and universities. Although the tuition rates are generally much higher, most private schools send your offer of admission along with very attractive financial aid packages and scholarship information. Don't let "sticker-shock" scare you away from applying to Colorado's private institutions. The educational quality is very high, and you'll generally end up paying much less than the price of listed tuition. Tuition ranges from about $12,000 - $38,000 for private colleges in Colorado, with Colorado College as the most expensive. Tuition here is over $18,000 per semester. Nazarene Bible College is the least expensive, charging around $4,500 per semester.