# Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University (Colorado Tech or CTU) is a private for-profit university with its main campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1965, CTU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, primarily in business, management, and technology. About 92% of Colorado Tech's students are fully online. According to Colorado Tech, the university has conferred more than 118,000 degrees worldwide. Colorado Tech has no public or official affiliation with the State of Colorado and it is owned by the for-profit company Perdoceo Education Corporation, publicly traded on the NASDAQ under PRDO and formerly known as Career Education Corporation (CEC).

## History

The school was established as Colorado Technical College in 1965, focusing on training former military personnel in technical and vocational subjects. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert (Bob) Turkisher, a flight engineer, founded the institution and served as its first president. To support his efforts, Turkisher brought in Air Force Colonel Richard Davis to be the Human Resources Director at CTU. Davis had experience in the Human Resources field after serving as a pilot, which allowed Turkisher to focus on developing the school’s programs and securing accreditation. In 1995, the institution gained university status and changed its name to Colorado Technical University (CTU).
CTU's mascot, the Golden Eagle, is inspired by a Native American legend about a brave becoming a man. The story tells how the chief took the brave to a mountain peak, where he transformed into a golden eagle, soared above the land, gained knowledge and wisdom, and returned to guide his people.
In 2008, CTU teamed up with the nonprofit Yellow Ribbon Fund to create the annual CTU Patriot Scholarship (formerly the Wounded Warrior Scholarship), which awards 25 wounded service members and veterans, as well as 25 spouses of wounded service members, with scholarships. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition toward any CTU degree, including course materials, fees, and a new laptop computer. As of 2023, CTU has awarded 800 scholarships totaling over $20 million.
in 2018, CTU was recognized as a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

### Lawsuits, investigations, and financial problems

In 2017, Colorado Tech was under heightened cash monitoring by the US Department of Education to provide additional oversight of cash management.
On March 9, 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs suspended G.I. Bill reimbursement eligibility for Colorado Technical University and several other for-profit schools due to what the V.A. said were "erroneous, deceptive, or misleading enrollment and advertising practices", giving the schools 60 days to take "corrective action". The VA withdrew its threat of sanctions in July 2020.

## Funding

In 2017, the Center for Investigative Reporting reported that CTU received approximately 95% of all of its funds from the US government, including about $3 million from the Department of Defense and $33 million from GI Bill funds.

## Campuses

The university maintains Colorado campuses in Colorado Springs (main campus) and Aurora. Additionally, a number of its degree programs can be completed entirely or largely online. CTU previously had campuses in Kansas City, Pueblo, and Sioux Falls, all of which have permanently closed down.

## Academics

Colorado Tech's President is Elise Baskel, who was an executive with Perdoceo Education for 13 years. Colorado Technical University offers accredited degree programs in business, engineering, and applied scientific disciplines, including Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Finance, Health Sciences, Information Systems and Technology, Management, and Public Administration.

### Faculty

Colorado Tech employs 52 full-time and 1095 part-time instructors.

### Schools and colleges

CTU has the following areas of study:
* College of Business & Management
* College of Engineering & Computer Science
* College of Health Sciences
* College of Information Systems & Technology
* College of Security Studies
* College of Project Management
* European Union Research Institute

### Rankings

Colorado Tech has received numerous awards and achievements since its establishment. In 2024, CTU was ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (for the 10th consecutive year) and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (for the 10th consecutive year) by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report also named CTU among the Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs (10th consecutive year), Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs (10th consecutive year), Best Online MBA Programs (9th consecutive year), Best Online Master's in Business Programs (9th consecutive year), Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs (6th consecutive year), and Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs (4th consecutive year).
In 2023, CTU was ranked among the Best for Vets: Colleges by Military Times, marking the 8th year Colorado Tech appeared on this list.
In 2024, CEO Magazine ranked CTU’s MBA Program #57 across its Global MBA Programs Rankings list, marking the 5th time CTU appeared on this list.
In 2019, Colorado Technical University was ranked 476th out of 500 Masters schools by Washington Monthly. In 2023, CTU was also tied for 160th on the U.S. News & World Report lists for Best Online Programs. US News ranked CTU tied for 90th for online bachelor's programs for veterans in 2022.

## Accreditation, associations, and affiliations

The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the Colorado Springs campus are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The business degree programs offered by Colorado Technical University are ACBSP accredited.
The university is a subsidiary of Perdoceo, formerly Career Education Corporation. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recognized CTU as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

### Student outcomes

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Colorado Tech's online graduation rate is 23%.
According to the College Scorecard, Colorado Tech has a 25 percent graduation rate. Salary after completing ranged from $24,012 (AA in Health and Medical Administrative Services) to $74,576 (Bachelors in Computer/IT). For student debtors in repayment, 32 percent were in forbearance, 25 percent were not making progress, 18 percent defaulted, 10 percent were in deferment, 7 percent were delinquent, 5 percent were making progress, 2 percent were discharged, and 1 percent were paid in full.

## Corporate partnerships

CTU has been an educational provider for McDonald's since 2014.

## Notable alumni

* Jason Gray, government official; acting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (2025-present)