2026 Best Colleges for Student Athletes (Division II) in Colorado

For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 9 schools for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.

So you can compare your options, College Factual scores each program on a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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Top 9 Colleges for Student Athletes (Division II)

Explore the leading programs below:

1

Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO

92% Academic Quality Percentile

Our analysis found Colorado School of Mines to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division II) in Colorado. This public school is set in Golden, CO.

2

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

73% Academic Quality Percentile

Colorado Christian University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Lakewood, CO, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution.

3

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

80% Academic Quality Percentile

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division II), at #3. Located in Colorado Springs, CO, University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public institution.

4

Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO

74% Academic Quality Percentile

Western Colorado University earned the #4 place for student athletes. Based in Gunnison, CO, Western Colorado University is a public institution.

5

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

74% Academic Quality Percentile

Fort Lewis College landed the #5 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Durango, CO, Fort Lewis College is a public institution.

6

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

73% Academic Quality Percentile

Colorado State University Pueblo placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This public school is set in Pueblo, CO.

7

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO

79% Academic Quality Percentile

Metropolitan State University of Denver placed #7 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Denver, CO, Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution.

8

Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO

80% Academic Quality Percentile

Colorado Mesa University landed the #8 spot this year. Colorado Mesa University is a public school based in Grand Junction, CO.

9

Adams State University
Alamosa, CO

71% Academic Quality Percentile

Adams State University placed #9 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Adams State University is a public school based in Alamosa, CO.

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Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.

The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.

References

• NCAA Academic Progress Rate & Graduation Success Rate — National Collegiate Athletic Association (athlete academic outcomes).
• Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) — U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (team participation, revenue, expenses, and aid).
• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics (institutional data).

More about our data sources and methodologies.