Colorado Northwestern Community College

500 Kennedy Drive
Rangely, CO 81648
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Colorado Northwestern is one college in two Colorado communities. Depending on what you want to study, CNCC has the perfect surroundings and facilities to meet your needs. Founded in 1962 as "Rangely College," CNCC now serves nearly 1,000 students on two campuses, two service centers and online. Our two main campuses in Craig and Rangely are 90 miles apart in the mountains and canyons of Northwestern Colorado, with two service centers located in Meeker and Oak Creek. Outdoor Adventures We serve a diverse student population, ranging from traditional college students right out of high school, to a diverse population of adults who are seeking to advance their careers, or perhaps pursue a second one. The programs we offer are as diverse as our students. We offer world-class Arts & Science Degree programs that feature guaranteed transfer to Colorado four-year institutions. We also offer a rich array of Career and Technical programs designed to give students the training they need to get to work now. The Gates of Lodore, a canyon on the Green River, in northwestern Colorado. Perhaps one the the most attractive things about CNCC is that we are centered in one of the richest recreational and scenic areas in Colorado. It`s Colorado like you`ve never seen it before, with deep, high mountain canyons; impossibly wide vistas; wild, untamed rivers; and solitude that inspires.

School Highlights

Colorado Northwestern Community College serves 993 students (43% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 43%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 993 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,997
  • Out-state tuition: $6,991
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 25%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Colorado Northwestern Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 126 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Colorado Northwestern Community College
(CO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
126 staff
80 staff
This chart display total faculty of Colorado Northwestern Community College and community college average number of faculty in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Colorado Northwestern Community College has declined by 27% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 11:1 over five years.
The Colorado Northwestern Community College diversity score of 0.41 is less than the state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
993 students
2,187 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Colorado Northwestern Community College and community college average number of enrollment of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
14:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Colorado Northwestern Community College and community college average student staff ratio of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
431 students
687 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Colorado Northwestern Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
562 students
1,500 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Colorado Northwestern Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Colorado Northwestern Community College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CO.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
693 students
443 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
431 students
585 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Colorado Northwestern Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
97 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
562 students
952 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
1 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
346 students
346 students
This chart display the dormitory capacity of Colorado Northwestern Community College and the community college average dormitory capacity of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
% Asian
2%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
16%
23%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
1%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
75%
57%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of White community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Colorado Northwestern Community College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CO.
Diversity Score
0.41
0.62
This chart display the diversity score of Colorado Northwestern Community College and the community college average diversity score of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
35%
56%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Colorado Northwestern Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.68%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$41,400
$33,300
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Colorado Northwestern Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CO by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $5,997 is more than the state average of $4,455. The in-state tuition has grown by 52% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,991 is less than the state average of $10,707. The out-state tuition has grown by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,997
$4,455
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Colorado Northwestern Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,991
$10,707
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Colorado Northwestern Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
90%
87%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Colorado Northwestern Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,000
$11,000
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Colorado Northwestern Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Colorado Northwestern Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
83%

Sports

Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Equestrian, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) is a publicly supported two-year institution that was established in 1960. The main campus at Rangely, was opened in 1962 as Rangely College to a freshman class composed of 82 students. Originally, the College was a branch of Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado, but the two were separated in 1970. In July of 1974, Rangely College officially became Colorado Northwestern Community College. Colorado Northwestern Community College has been your education partner since 1962. With campuses in Rangely and Craig, community education centers in Meeker and South Routt County, as well as increasing opportunities for distance and technology-assisted learning, Colorado Northwestern Community College continues to be your best educational choice for affordable, high-quality learning options. CNCC has many clubs and activities for our students including outdoor recreational activities from whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, rock climbing and expedition camping to our on-campus challenge course andclimbing gym. In addition, you will find a variety of collegiate athletics. We have outstanding occupational and transfer programs, excellent faculty with a personalized touch, and many outdoor recreational opportunities offered in a open-door atmosphere, with affordable prices, and at five different locations in Northwestern Colorado. Colorado Northwestern Community College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Colorado Northwestern Community College cost?
Colorado Northwestern Community College's tuition is approximately $5,997 for In-State students and $6,991 for Out-State students.
What sports does Colorado Northwestern Community College offer?
Colorado Northwestern Community College offers 9 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Equestrian, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball.
What is Colorado Northwestern Community College's ranking?
Colorado Northwestern Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Colorado for: Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation).

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 993 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,997
  • Out-state tuition: $6,991
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 25%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Colorado public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,455 per year for in-state students and $10,707 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,261 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Colorado is 74%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Colorado community colleges have a diversity score of 0.62, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Colorado is Colorado Heights University. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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