Best Community Colleges in Denver: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 4, 2026
Denver CCs from $4,030 at CC of Aurora to $4,902 at CCD. Integrated Nursing Pathway provides direct pipeline to CU Anschutz BSN.
Why Community College in Denver?
Denver's community colleges charge $4,030-4,902/year and serve as feeders to CU Denver, CU Boulder, Colorado State, and other state universities. The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) operates multiple campuses across the metro, and the guaranteed transfer (gtPathways) system ensures courses transfer cleanly to any Colorado public university.
Denver-Area Community Colleges
Front Range Community College (Westminster) — $4,740/year, 11,132 students
The largest CC in the metro. Strong nursing ($57,931 ADN earnings), STEM, and business programs. Westminster and Longmont campuses serve the north metro. 6-year earnings: $40,548 — second highest in metro.
Arapahoe Community College (Littleton) — $4,308/year, 5,392 students
South metro campus. Nursing ADN graduates earn $61,578 — highest among Denver CCs. Strong interior design, law enforcement, and business programs. 6-year earnings: $43,676 — highest in the Denver metro.
Community College of Denver — $4,902/year, 5,156 students
Downtown Denver campus, the most urban CC. Home to the Integrated Nursing Pathway — a direct pipeline from CCD to CU Anschutz's BSN program (30 credits at CCD → transfer to CU Nursing with 3.0 GPA). 6-year earnings: $36,412.
Red Rocks Community College (Lakewood) — $4,707/year, 4,281 students
West metro campus near the foothills. Strong renewable energy technology, multimedia, and outdoor recreation programs. 6-year earnings: $41,495.
Community College of Aurora — $4,030/year, 3,346 students
Most affordable CC in Denver at $4,030/year. East metro location. Strong healthcare, early childhood education, and emergency services programs. 6-year earnings: $38,842.
Transfer Pathways
gtPathways (Guaranteed Transfer)
Colorado's gtPathways system guarantees that general education courses transfer to any Colorado public college or university. Complete the GT curriculum at a CC and it transfers as a block — no course-by-course evaluation.
CCD → CU Anschutz Nursing Pathway
The standout: CCD's Integrated Nursing Pathway lets students complete 30 prerequisite credits at CCD and earn an Associate degree, then transfer directly into CU's College of Nursing for a BSN. Requires 3.0+ prerequisite GPA. This structured pathway eliminates the guesswork of transferring into a competitive nursing program.
Statewide Transfer Agreements
Colorado guarantees that 60+ credits from a CC transfer to any state university when students complete an Associate degree. Articulation agreements exist with CU Denver, CU Boulder, Colorado State, and UNC.
Cost Comparison
| Path | 4-Year Total |
|---|---|
| 4 years at CU Denver | ~$40,000 |
| 2yr CCD + 2yr CU Denver | ~$30,000 |
| 2yr CC of Aurora + 2yr CU Denver | ~$28,000 |
Financial Aid
- Colorado Student Grant — need-based
- Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) — $86/credit stipend at community colleges (reduces effective tuition)
- Federal Pell Grant — covers CC tuition at all Denver campuses
- CCCS Foundation scholarships — available at all system colleges
How to Choose
| Priority | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Nursing (CU pathway) | CCD (Integrated Nursing Pathway) |
| Best post-grad earnings | Arapahoe CC ($43,676 at 6yrs) |
| Lowest tuition | CC of Aurora ($4,030/yr) |
| North metro | Front Range CC |
| South metro | Arapahoe CC |
| West metro | Red Rocks CC |
Next Steps
Compare Denver community colleges on GradeToGrad.
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