Accounting Degree Overview for Colorado

Known for its natural beauty, thrilling ski seasons, and thriving business environment, Colorado is an excellent choice for aspiring accountants. Students considering accounting degrees in Colorado enjoy ample options for degree concentrations, school locations, and online learning opportunities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Colorado boasts the country’s second-highest concentration of accountants, with 13.88 accountants employed per 1,000 jobs in the state. Data from Projections Central indicates that the BLS projects a 20% growth in demand for Colorado accountants from 2018-2028. Consequently, prospective students can take advantage of a promising job market in the years to come. As business grows across multiple sectors, Colorado accountants can choose from a variety of promising specialties.

On this page, readers can learn more about accounting degrees in Colorado, including state educational statistics, top careers in accounting, and opportunities for degree financing.

With a strong economy and many thriving industries, Colorado promises an inviting atmosphere for prospective students, drawing both in-person and distance learners.

According to the Colorado Department of Education, 263,788 students enrolled in public higher education programs in the state in Fall 2019, with 173,531 attending four-year institutions. While in-state tuition remains much lower than out-of-state tuition, Colorado participates in a regional exchange program that offers reduced rates to students residing in Western states. Exchange program members include North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and California. Students participating in online programs may also qualify for reduced tuition rates.

The Big Four accounting firms maintain a strong presence in Denver, as do 23 Fortune 500 companies, including DISH, Western Union, and Vail Resorts, so accounting students in Colorado benefit from a wealth of networking opportunities. Students looking to stay in Colorado should consider taking advantage of these connections to bolster their future career search.

Distance learners considering schools with in-person requirements, such as immersion events or residencies, should account for prospective institutions’ proximity to Denver. The state capital houses Colorado’s busiest airport, and quite a few major institutions reside in nearby or easily accessible locations.

Prospective students researching accounting degrees in Colorado may find it useful to gather data pertaining to higher education in the state. The number of institutions, percentage of online students, state budget appropriations, and percentage of adults holding certain degree levels can offer a relevant picture about education in the state as a whole. The chart below compares Colorado numbers to national data.

Sources: NCES, SHEEO, U.S. Census Bureau – American Community Survey

Accreditation is a major factor in the search for a strong accounting degree in Colorado. Students typically encounter two types of accreditation as they research schools: national and regional. Both these types of accreditation are institutional, meaning they apply to every program and degree offered by the school.

National accreditation applies mainly to for-profit institutions, including vocational and technical institutions. It may also apply to religious institutions.

However, aspiring accountants should seek out regionally accredited schools. Generally considered the more rigorous accreditation type, regional accreditation requires higher standards. Without a regionally accredited degree, accountants may struggle to pursue additional education, such as master’s degrees. Additionally, those aiming to become certified public accountants (CPAs) should attend schools that hold regional accreditation.

In Colorado, the Higher Learning Commission oversees accreditation for institutions at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Prospective students face a sometimes-overwhelming variety of choices when it comes to selecting degree programs. By comparing career goals with program offerings, students can narrow their choices considerably.

Location is a major factor in prospective learners’ school search. Colorado ranks among the middle of all U.S. states for cost of living, and students should remember to factor expenses such as housing, groceries, and utilities into the overall cost of school. Major urban areas cost more, but also offer more networking and employment opportunities.

Students looking into accounting degrees in Colorado should also research concentration options relevant to popular industries in the state, consider distance learning opportunities, and compare tuition expenses.

The sections below offer details about important factors to research when considering accounting degrees in Colorado.

Selecting an accounting program depends in part on students’ career goals and which degree levels best match those aspirations.

Aspiring accountants in Colorado can find exciting careers beyond just general accounting, with popular industries in the state including tourism, agriculture, technology, and the military. By choosing relevant specializations while pursuing their degrees, students can position themselves as experts when they begin searching for jobs. Learners hoping to work in Colorado after graduation should consider pairing their concentrations with booming industries in the state.

ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATIONS

Prospective accounting students enjoy abundant choices in program structure. Some learners may prefer to study on campus, while others seek out distance learning opportunities. The sections below outline some pros and cons of these choices.

In traditional on-campus programs, students reside in Colorado and attend classes in person. Some learners thrive in environments in which they can physically meet with their peers and instructors. As distance learning requires a self-starting attitude, those who struggle with time management may prefer a more guided, on-campus approach.

Fully online programs require no on-campus attendance. Instead, professors share course materials and assignments through online learning platforms. In asynchronous setups, students log in at their convenience to access these materials. Some programs require synchronous participation, where students engage in real time through web cameras.Students with full-time jobs or personal obligations may gravitate toward the flexible structure of distance learning. Online programs require strong individual motivation, as the materials presented maintain the rigor of in-person classes but with a less strict structure.

In hybrid programs, students attend some classes on campus and others online. Some courses split between in-person meetings and online assignments, while others pair fully online courses with those run entirely on campus. Students may also encounter programs that require in-person residencies or immersion weekends, mandating periodic travel to campus between online sessions.

Source: NCES

Accounting students in Colorado can finance their degrees through a variety of options. Students should seek out scholarships, grants, and loans when considering how to pay for their degrees.

The FAFSA presents students with the most options, and some schools require it for scholarship consideration. By filling out the FAFSA, learners may qualify for federal grants. The government also offers federally distributed loans at low interest rates.

Students can seek out scholarships and grants through professional and local organizations. Area of study and student demographics may also determine scholarship eligibility.

In Colorado, students can take advantage of resources available through the Colorado Department of Education and the College Opportunity Fund.

The links below offer further information about financial aid options for accounting students.

Source: NCES

When researching the cost of accounting degrees in Colorado, students can expect to encounter variable tuition rates between in-state residents and out-of-state students. In-state students typically pay lower tuition rates than those coming from beyond state borders. Public institutions typically differentiate, while private institutions typically charge the same tuition rates to in-state and out-of-state learners.

Some schools offer tuition breaks for distance learners, allowing them to pay in-state tuition or take advantage of otherwise reduced rates.

In partnership with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Colorado offers reduced tuition rates to students who attend from states in the West. Eligible states include bordering neighbors such as New Mexico and Utah, extending to the Pacific Northwest and beyond to Hawaii and Alaska.

According to World Population Review, Colorado merits a 105.6 cost-of-living score, weighed against the overall U.S. score of 100. This indicates that cost of living in Colorado sits only slightly above the national average. Ranked No. 33 out of 51, including Washington, D.C., Colorado’s cost of living is among the middle of all states.

Specifically, Colorado housing costs rank at 119 compared against the national index, while utilities compare favorably with the rest of the country at 88.4.

Even after evaluating school location, structure, and cost, prospective students should prioritize the issues that matter most as they seek out the right accounting degree in Colorado. Students may consider these factors depending on their personal preferences, situation, and career goals.

Some students prefer a competitive atmosphere, for example, while others like the camaraderie of a close cohort. Those with a strong preference can request to speak with current students or alumni for a straightforward view on program culture.

Students who prioritize program diversity can look up numbers for the program, department, and school as a whole. Staff diversity may also count as an important factor.

Particularly for distance learners, a robust suite of university resources can be a strong draw to a program. Online students may ask whether a prospective school connects them with offerings such as tutoring services, library resources, and career centers.

Aspiring accountants aiming for particular industries or companies may wish to research each school’s alumni network before committing to a program. A strong alumni network, when bolstered by school-sponsored events, can help students make strong connections for their future career goals.

According to U.S. News and World Report, Colorado boasts the country’s strongest state economy. With a strong business environment, employment, and growth potential, Colorado merits strong consideration for accounting graduates. All of the Big Four accounting firms — Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Young, and KPMG — keep offices in Denver.

Students looking to broaden their horizons to other industries can take advantage of the presence of 23 Fortune 500 companies in areas such as retail, media, banking, construction, and tourism. Known for its outdoor thrills, such as skiing and hiking, Colorado draws flocks of tourists every year. U.S. News and World Report also emphasizes a growing tech industry, plus a tradition of agriculture and a military presence.

The sections below describe a few standout careers for aspiring accountants in Colorado, including job descriptions, outlook, and salary data.

EXPLORE MORE CAREERS HERE

According to Projections Central, Colorado accounting professionals can expect to enjoy a booming job market from 2018-2028. With a 20% growth projected for accountants and auditors during that time period — much faster than the national average of 6% for all occupations — accounting degree-holders can take advantage of vast opportunities in the country’s strongest state economy.

As the table above illustrates, mean annual salaries for accounting jobs in Colorado also rise above the national numbers. At the associate level, Colorado outpaces national wages by a few thousand dollars. As education level grows, however, the gaps increase significantly, with Colorado financial managers earning significantly above the national mean wage.

Opportunities abound in Colorado for accounting hopefuls, particularly those looking to advance into leadership positions. With business growing across the state, accounting professionals can benefit from access to a variety of industries and job opportunities.

Many accounting professionals pursue CPA credentials at some point in their careers, as the certification can open a variety of career opportunities. Requirements for CPA credentials vary by state, and those considering the certification should check the details for their particular location.

Colorado requires CPA applicants to complete 150 hours of college-level credits, extending beyond the typical 120 credits earned at the bachelor’s level. The state further requires those courses to include 33 credits of accounting coursework with a grade of C or higher; 27 credits of subject-specific accounting classes; six credits of auditing; and at least three credits of ethics. Applicants must complete one year of professional experience before qualifying to become a CPA.

Colorado does not enforce requirements related to citizenship, state residency, or age, though applicants must possess a Social Security number.