Colorado has one of the most highly educated adult populations in the United States, ranking third in the nation for college graduates, after the District of Columbia and Massachusetts. The concentration of advanced degree holders in Colorado is also above the national average. This high level of educational attainment is matched by a concentration of high-tech jobs; Colorado ranks fifth in the nation in the concentration of high-tech employment.

Because of Colorado’s skilled workforce and its modern economy, higher education pays off for those who earn postsecondary credentials. Graduates with postsecondary degrees working in Colorado after graduation can average as much as $20,000 more than high school graduates. This bump in wages is not only among students who have earned a bachelor’s degree. Indeed, early in their careers, graduates of two-year degree programs, especially students completing an Associate in Applied Science degree, can earn as much or even more than graduates with a bachelor’s degree.