Colorado Christian University leads the latest list of Colleges and Universities in Jefferson County, based on 2023 enrollment data from the U.S. Department of Education. With 8,254 students enrolled, CCU ranks first among the county’s higher education institutions.
Close behind, the Colorado School of Mines takes second place with 7,599 students, followed by Red Rocks Community College in third, which saw a notable increase in enrollment to 7,382 students.
Rounding out the top five are Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design with 1,888 students and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology with 321 students. Paul Mitchell School-Denver ranks sixth with 231 students. At the bottom of the list are the Colorado School of Trades and the Colorado School of Healing Arts, enrolling 108 and 60 students respectively.
Enrollment trends across Jefferson County have fluctuated over the past five years, reflecting broader shifts in student preferences and educational priorities.
Although Colorado Christian University remains the largest institution, it experienced a 7.9% decline in enrollment from 2022, when it had 8,964 students. Despite this dip, CCU has shown overall growth in the long term.
Meanwhile, the Colorado School of Mines continued a steady upward trend, increasing its student population by 2.65% from 7,403 in 2022.
Red Rocks Community College recorded the largest year-over-year growth on the list, jumping 14.1% from 6,470 students in 2022 — a strong recovery following prior declines.
