Colorado just took the top spot in the country for education. On July 28, 2026, U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best States rankings, and Colorado moved from #3 to #1 in the Education category, edging out New Jersey and Florida. For South Denver families, this is more than a headline. It is a market signal that affects school quality, home values, and the kind of long-term investment you are making when you buy a house here.
From Cherry Hills Village estates to first homes in University Hills, every South Denver neighborhood plays by its own rules. Sara Garza has spent two decades helping buyers and sellers navigate these markets with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.
Sara Garza · Global Real Estate Advisor, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty · Cherry Hills Village · Greenwood Village · Cherry Creek · Wash Park
Why Colorado Ranked Number One
U.S. News does not hand out the top spot on hype. The 2026 ranking was driven by three measurable improvements:
- Higher educational attainment. The share of Coloradans over 25 with an associate degree or higher rose from 54.6% in 2023 to 55.9% in 2024, putting the state at #1 nationally. The national average over the same period is 45.7%, so Colorado sits roughly 10 percentage points above the rest of the country.
- Faster two-year degree completion. Graduation rates from Colorado’s community college system jumped from 42.9% for the 2020 cohort to 54.5% for the 2021 cohort, a 12-point leap in a single year.
- Universal preschool enrollment. 53.7% of 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in preschool in 2024, one of the largest shares of any state. The state estimates about 68.4% of eligible 4-year-olds are enrolled for the 2025-26 school year.
John Albright, executive vice chancellor of the Colorado Community College System, called the result “really something to celebrate.” Kevin Welner, director of the National Education Policy Center at CU Boulder, credits universal preschool and lower child poverty rates for putting Colorado schools in a stronger starting position than most other states.
What Colorado’s Education System Actually Looks Like
The numbers behind the ranking paint a clearer picture for South Denver buyers and parents.
| Metric | Colorado | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree or higher (adults 25+) | 55.9% (2024) | 45.7% (2024) |
| High school graduation rate | 85.6% (2024-25) | ~84% |
| Community college grad rate (3-year) | 54.5% (2021 cohort) | ~40% |
| Preschool enrollment (ages 3-4) | 53.7% (2024) | ~47% |
| Public schools (pre-K-12) | 1,877 | — |
| Higher ed institutions | ~100 (31 public) | — |
For context, Colorado is one of only four states (plus the District of Columbia) that offers universal pre-K without income restrictions. The program launched in 2023, funded by a $349 million voter-approved tax on tobacco and vape products.
The Three Programs Doing the Heavy Lifting
1. Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK)
More than 45,000 children were enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. Governor Polis credits the program’s success to its inclusion of community providers, not just public schools, which he says distinguishes Colorado from other states that tried similar models.
2. Colorado Promise
Provides two free years of college to students from households earning under $90,000 who enroll in a public state school within two years of finishing high school. For families in South Denver neighborhoods where median household incomes often exceed the program cap, this is more of a future-proofing tool than a current benefit, but it matters for multigenerational planning.
3. Care Forward Colorado
Free credentials for healthcare certificates, including EMT, designed to address the state’s healthcare worker shortage. The state’s two-year graduation rate jump is partly attributed to programs like this that make short-term credentials stackable toward associate degrees.
What This Means for South Denver Home Buyers
Rankings come and go, but the underlying investment in education infrastructure is permanent. Here is why South Denver families should care about this beyond the news cycle.
School quality compounds. Colorado’s universal pre-K means your child will likely start kindergarten with structured learning already in place, regardless of which school district you land in. That is a real advantage over parents in states where preschool is paid out of pocket.
Dual enrollment is exploding. Polis touts that some Colorado high schools have a majority of students graduating with an associate degree or industry certificate. For buyers in the Cherry Creek School District, this is already a major draw, and the trend is accelerating.
Property values follow school rankings. The 2026 Best States ranking reinforces the perception that Colorado is a top-tier education state. Combined with Denver’s job market and outdoor lifestyle, that perception keeps demand, and prices, high in family-focused neighborhoods like University Hills, Hampden South, and Centennial.
Resale stays strong. National rankings drive inbound searches. When out-of-state buyers Google “best states for education,” Colorado is now the answer they find first. That keeps the buyer pool deep when it comes time to sell.
How Utah Still Leads the Overall Best States Ranking
One important nuance: Colorado ranks #1 in Education, but Utah took the #1 spot in the overall Best States ranking for the fourth year in a row. Utah’s strengths are healthcare, economy, and fiscal stability, while Colorado’s stronger education numbers are partly offset by higher costs of living and housing affordability challenges.
If you are relocating from Utah or another Western state, the trade-off is clear: Colorado delivers stronger education and a more diverse economy, but you will pay more for housing. The U.S. News ranking helps quantify that educational premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Colorado really rank #1 in education for 2026?
Yes. On July 28, 2026, U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best States rankings and Colorado moved from #3 to #1 in the Education category, passing New Jersey and Florida.
What did Colorado do differently to earn the #1 ranking?
Three measurable improvements drove the ranking: higher educational attainment (55.9% of adults 25+ now hold an associate degree or higher), a big jump in community college graduation rates (42.9% to 54.5% in one year), and broader preschool enrollment through the Universal Preschool Colorado program.
Does Colorado have universal pre-K?
Yes. Colorado launched Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) in 2023 with $349 million in funding from a voter-approved tax on tobacco and vape products. It is one of only four states (plus Washington, D.C.) to offer universal pre-K without income restrictions. More than 45,000 children were enrolled in the 2025-26 school year.
Is Colorado the #1 best state overall in 2026?
No. Utah took the #1 overall Best States ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Colorado ranks #1 in Education and #17 in the overall Best States ranking.
Which South Denver school districts benefit most from this ranking?
All of them benefit from the statewide ranking, but the Cherry Creek School District, which serves much of Greenwood Village, Centennial, and parts of southeast Denver, is the most established feeder into the state’s strongest K-12 outcomes. Littleton Public Schools and Douglas County School District also rank consistently well.
How does this affect Denver-area home values?
Higher national rankings for education tend to increase inbound search interest from out-of-state buyers, which sustains demand in family-focused South Denver neighborhoods. Combined with the state’s ongoing investment in pre-K and dual enrollment, the ranking reinforces the long-term value proposition of buying in Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, and similar neighborhoods.
Related Articles
- Cherry Creek Schools Guide 2026: Why Families Choose South Denver for Education
- Best Schools in South Denver 2026: Top-Rated Public & Private Options by Neighborhood
- Best Private Schools in South Denver: A Parent’s Education Guide
- Moving to South Denver from Salt Lake City: What Utah Families Need to Know
- Observatory Park Neighborhood Guide: South Denver’s Best Kept Secret for Families and Buyers
Sources: U.S. News & World Report, “Colorado Tops U.S. News Education Rankings” (July 27, 2026); U.S. News 2026 Best States Rankings; U.S. Census Bureau; Colorado Department of Higher Education; National Center for Education Statistics.
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Sara Garza · LIV Sotheby’s International Realty · Cherry Hills · Greenwood Village · Cherry Creek · Wash Park