Most Highly Educated Workforce in the United States
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Highly Educated Talent
Boulder has one of the nation’s most highly educated, technically savvy workforces, which contributes to the vitality of the Boulder economy.
- The Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has the most highly educated workforce in the United States, with 63% of all adults 25 and older having earned a bachelor’s or higher compared to the national average of 29%.
- Over 75% of adults 25 and older who live in the City of Boulder have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the national average.
- With 39% of the population holding an advanced degree, Boulder is also ranked among the highest in graduate and doctoral degrees per capita in the U.S.
- Colorado is ranked #3 in the nation in high-tech worker concentration.
Boulder attracts top intellectual talent from around the world. Boulder is a magnet for young, skilled and talented workers who are interested in career opportunities in dynamic industries such as aerospace, bioscience, cleantech, and IT/Software. Employees are attracted to Boulder for its desirable quality of life, beautiful setting and balanced lifestyle.
Boulder’s workforce is employed in a variety of occupations with a high concentration in professional occupations. Nearly 60% of the city’s civilian labor force is employed in managerial, professional or related occupations compared to 36% of the nation’s workers.
University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder, the state's flagship university, is a world-class research university that offers many nationally recognized programs. CU Boulder has over 90 research centers, institutes and laboratories and offers 3,400 courses in 150 fields of study. CU Boulder is one of only 34 US public research universities invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities and has the Rocky Mountain region’s largest library collection. Among the University’s faculty are five Nobel Laureates and four National Medal of Science winners.
Leeds School of Business
The University's Leeds School of Business, consistently ranked among the nation’s top business schools, supports the local business community by:
- Providing interns, student consulting teams, and business graduates
- Educating managers and executives
- Providing insight and expertise
- Creating new business knowledge through research.
The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship in the Leeds School offers one of the best entrepreneurial education programs in the nation. The center:
- Prepares undergraduate and graduate students for entrepreneurial careers
- Facilitates high impact research
- Creates "productive collisions" among students, faculty and the business community.
College of Engineering and Applied Science
The College of Engineering and Applied Science offers degree programs in 12 specialty areas, including aerospace engineering sciences, architectural engineering, chemical engineering, chemical and biological engineering, environmental engineering, and computer science.
Faculty and students collaborate across the disciplines and with many external partners on finding solutions to the world's greatest challenges in aerospace, biotechnology, energy, and other fields.
Through its nationally recognized Aerospace Engineering Sciences program, the University of Colorado Boulder receives more NASA funding than any other public university in the United States. The program is home to 42-tenure track, research, and instructional faculty, and more than 200 graduate students and 400 undergraduates. The vibrant community of engineers and scientists tackle challenges in aerospace technology and science, partnering with private industry and focusing on:
- Aerospace Engineering Systems
- Astrodynamics & Satellite Navigation Systems
- Bioastronautics
- Remote Sensing, Earth & Space Sciences
School of Law
The University of Colorado Law School is housed in the beautiful, "green" Wolf Law Building with one of the largest law libraries in the country. Nationally recognized programs through the School of Law include:
- Technology and Intellectual Property Law
- Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law
- American Indian Law
- Juvenile and Family Law
- Public Service Law
- Entrepreneurial and Business Law
Professional Certificate Programs
The University of Colorado Boulder offers an ever-growing number of interdisciplinary and professional certificate programs to complement traditional education. These programs allow professionals to pursue certification apart from degree completion. Professional certificates are available in the following areas:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
- Boulder Digital Works
- Electrical and Computing Engineering
- Energy
- Engineering Management
- Ethnic Studies
- Law
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy
- Telecommunications
Workforce Development Programs
Employees can add to their knowledge base by taking advantage of Boulder’s many adult educational programs. Area employers can also tap this vast pool of expertise to train workers in specific skills.
- Division of Continuing Education: The University of Colorado Boulder’s Division of Continuing Education extends the educational resources of the university into the community. Continuing Education offers a variety of programs—from courses for university credit, to career boosting computer, technology, and business classes — and provides online, weekend, and evening courses in almost every subject area for completion of undergraduate or graduate degrees, certificates or skill enhancement.
- Front Range Community College: The Corporate Solutions and Small Business Development offices at FRCC are excellent resources for Colorado companies seeking customized skills training, consulting services, business development, and ongoing professional development.
- Workforce Boulder County: Boulder area employers can access Workforce Boulder County's services including recruitment assistance, pre-screening and referral services, and tax credit and training reimbursement programs. Services for job seekers include training, job listings, computer and internet access, and career counseling.
- Manufacturer's Edge: Local businesses can access experienced engineers and business professionals with manufacturing, management, process and technology skills through customized training and workshops offered by Manufacturer's Edge, formerly the Colorado Association of Manufacturing and Technology.
- Colorado Workforce Development Council: The mission of the Colorado Workforce Development Council is to create and sustain a business-led Colorado talent system that appropriately integrates the work of economic development, education, training and workforce development to meet the needs of businesses, students and job-seekers.
- Boulder Small Business Development Center: The Boulder Small Business Development Center offers a variety of training classes and workshops for small businesses in Boulder County.
Colorado Job Training Programs
Bridging the gap between business needs and future employees is critical to ensure the long-term success of a business. The State of Colorado offers The Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant (formerly the Colorado First and Existing Industry Grant) that helps businesses and nonprofits create customized job training for employees.