In a Nutshell

Colorado Technical University (CTU) offers top-ranked online degrees in areas such as nursing, computer science, and business. You study flexibly, at your own pace, and can pick between either full-time or part-time.

In addition, you can fast-track your degree and tailor your upcoming content based on your existing subject-matter knowledge. CTU programs are very well explained and is easy to apply to, and you can choose from several start dates throughout the year.

Colorado Technical University at a Glance

Why Colorado Technical University?

CTU is a U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs shortlisted college that lets online students personalize their education. You can choose between full-time and part-time study, so it’s ideal for busy learners with work or personal responsibilities. Plus, you can pick between on-campus, online, and hybrid learning.

The college offers both undergraduate and graduate courses, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. They could suit you if you’re interested in technical areas such as business, project management, computer science, IT, and nursing. In addition, some programs personalize your learning content using the intellipath® adaptive learning technology.

Colorado Technical University Special Features

CTU has quite a unique take on online education—here’s what’s noteworthy.

Specialized technical subjects

Colorado Technical University offers 70+ degrees across several subject areas. Many of these are concentrations of a broader topic like computer science or nursing. Here are some examples to illustrate:

• Business and management: BSc Business Administration, MSc Public Administration
• Computer Science: BSc Computer Science: Software Engineering, Doctor of Computer Science: Big Data Analytics
• IT: BSc Information Technology: Security, MSc Information Technology: Network Management
• Healthcare: BSc Healthcare Management
• Nursing: BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
• Security: BSc Criminal Justice, MSc Criminal Justice: Homeland Security

CTU bachelor degrees typically include 180 credits and last 4 years.

Career-driven learning

CTU uses a “Professional Learning Model” that includes collaborative projects and practical applications. For example, an assignment might ask you to problem-solve a scenario in a group or research a real-world situation.

Online learning platform

You access CTU course materials through a virtual learning platform that hosts your lectures, readings, assignments, and grades. It also lets you contact your instructors and fellow students, an important feature when studying remotely.

Fast-track option

CTU Fast Track™ lets you finish your degree sooner and save up to 30% of your tuition. You can fast-track by taking mini-exams in key course topics and earning credit for existing knowledge. On the downside, you can’t transfer CTU Fast Track™ program credits to another degree.

Personalized, adaptive learning

Some CTU courses include an adaptive learning technology called intellipath® that determines your subject-matter knowledge level and makes upcoming course content more or less difficult to match. In practice, this could mean that a topic you already learned in a previous course is replaced with a more advanced lecture.

Financial aid

There are generous financial aid options available at CTU. Firstly, the college accepts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including Federal Direct Loans and the Federal Pell Grant.

Secondly, it offers its own grants and scholarships, such as the Advantage Grant for students in hardship and the Corporate Educational Alliances Grant for employed learners. Some awards, like the Liberty Grant, are exclusively for veterans.

The college also accepts private loans and some state aid programs as funding methods.

How It Works

Applying to CTU is free and simple.

Start by clicking “Apply Now” on the CTU website. You then select “Apply Now” in the “Online” column, and click “New Users—Start Your Application Now”. Add your name, email address, phone number, legal residence country and state, ZIP code, and whether you’re affiliated with the military. Then, set a password.

Next, add the following extra details:

• Date of birth
• Residential city and address
• United States citizenship status
• Fluency in English
• Confirmation that you can regularly access a computer and the internet
• Degree type
• Preferred start date (you have a choice of around 6 start dates throughout the year.)

After that, you select your highest level of education. Add some information about your high school, including its name, address, and the years you attended it. If you attended post-secondary education, add the same details here.

Then, check and confirm your eligibility for an Educational Alliance Grant. You might qualify if you went to a qualifying 2-year college, are a member of a qualifying organization or union, or if you, your parent, or your spouse are employed by a qualifying corporation.

Next, tick that you read the student and program disclosures. At this point, you also see your program tuition cost, its duration, and the number of credits, plus extra fees like the technology fee ($220/term) and graduation fee ($150). For example, the BSc Criminal Justice program costs $65,180 and takes 48 months to complete.

Finally, read and sign the enrollment agreement, and provide an e-signature along with your social security number. Click “Sign and Submit Application,” and you’re done.

After submitting your application, you must send proof of your high school graduation and college transcripts where relevant. The admissions team will reach out within a few weeks to confirm enrollment and provide student login details and your class schedule.

Currently, CTU doesn’t accept applications from New York or Massachusetts residents.

Prerequisites

Some CTU courses have educational prerequisites, particularly the master's and doctoral degrees. Individual course webpages explain what prerequisites you need. For example, the MSc Computer science degrees require a bachelor’s in computer science or computer engineering or, alternatively, 2 MSCS foundation courses in topics like math and programming.

Colorado Technical University Accreditation and Certification

Colorado Technical University has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Additionally, individual programs hold accreditation from agencies such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

What Former Colorado Technical University Students Have to Say

"After being out of school for over 25 years, I feared being able to manage work, family, and now school. Thankfully, the online programs at CTU are very flexible and relevant for today’s work environment."—Johnny R. (MBA, 2020)

"CTU doesn't just teach how to do a better job. They fundamentally change your view on the world. I mentor others professionally and personally. I'm now able to have more meaningful conversations that enrich the lives of my community, family, and friends."—Nicholas T. (AS, 2021)

Colorado Technical University Support Center

You can easily contact the CTU support team by live chat, phone, web form, and email. The live chat connects you to a friendly agent in a few seconds, after the chatbot collects a few details. However, the team couldn’t confirm the phone or live chat operating hours. Also, while there’s a general administration email, there’s no dedicated pre-admissions email address.

The website also has a handful of useful FAQs. Enrolled students benefit from 24/7 technical support.

General email: help@coloradotech.edu

Phone number: 1-855-230-0555

Bottom Line

Colorado Technical University is an online college offering specialized undergraduate- and graduate-level technical degrees. There are over 70 degrees across topic areas including healthcare, IT, and management, with generous financial aid options available.

Noteworthy CTU features include its fast-track and intellipath® services, helping students study more efficiently and skip previously studied topics. Plus, the 15-minute application process is quick and straightforward, helpfully featuring a transparent tuition cost breakdown.