With one of the fastest-growing states in the country, Colorado continues to be the destination par excellence for outdoors enthusiasts. Its geography is among the most diverse and stunning in the country: from Alpine peaks that reach 14,000 feet, to desert sand dunes and canyons, granite rock formations, and some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in the continental US. Of course, all this lends itself to a range of sports activities. Colorado is generally considered one of the top ski and snow-sports locales in the country, but late spring, summer, and fall are prime times for camping, cycling, and fly fishing, which attracts locals and tourists from around the world. At the professional level, Colorado has five major professional sports leagues, all based in Denver: Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Avalanche, and Rapids. Considering the wealth of sports and recreation opportunities in the state, it’s no surprise that a large number of sports management professionals call Colorado home — and that Colorado universities are offering more related degree tracks than ever. Check out our favorite locations, universities, and degree programs for sports management below!
Planning Your Education
Currently there are 6 universities in the state of Colorado offering online programming in sports management degree fields located throughout the state. While this level of choice and convenience is great, potential students should be counseled to know that there are many potential ways to enter into sports management fields. Many degree types can give students a variety of unique edges on competition, but it’s for students to choose which degree type is the best for entering into a sports management field or role of their choice. For an in-depth treatment of this subject, check out our degrees page. Or if you already know what degree types your interested in, check out our directory of sports management degrees in Colorado.
Types of Degrees Surveyed:
- Sports Management
- Coaching Education
- Nutrition
- Recreation Management
- Kinesiology
- Communications and Public Relations
- Physical Education
- Health and Wellness
- Sports Psychology
- Business Administration: Sports Management
Degree Levels Surveyed:
- Associates
- Bachelors
- Masters
- Doctoral Degrees
- Graduate and Undergraduate Certifications
Career Opportunities
Number of Jobs
There are almost 6,000 sports management professionals in Colorado, which makes up about 2% of the sector’s national workforce. Unfortunately, that number has declined in recent years, with the trade-off being a large portion of quality, top-paying positions. Most are full-time spots, but part-time, contract, temp, commission, and internship opportunities are also available for those interested. According to Indeed.com, Denver is the biggest employer — as it is across all industries — followed by Colorado Springs, Aurora, Littleton, Boulder, Durango, and Fort Collins. Denver hosts teams from all five major sports leagues – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS — and there are a number of semi-pro and minor league teams scattered across the state, as well. Outside of professional organizations, high school and collegiate athletics are another place to look for career opportunities, particularly for less experienced workers. Beyond that, Colorado’s mountain resorts remain a popular employment choice, offering both seasonal and year-round work.
Earning Percentiles for Sports Management Professionals in Colorado
While the employment pool has shrunk, sports management salaries have grown 5% in recent years and are among the best in the country. To compare at the national level, the mean salary for management positions in spectator sports is $117,000 nationwide; that puts it around the 60th percentile in Colorado, and well below the highest earning bracket, which can pull over $150k per year. The real story is at the bottom tier, though, where entry-level jobs can command $60k, or almost twice as much as the average entry-level job for college graduates. Together with the Colorado’s wealth of quality sports-related degrees, its competitive salaries make the state a top location for sports management professionals.
Need more inspiration to pursue sports management-related opportunities in Colorado today? Check out the range of job opportunities below!
Top Sports Management Degree Programs: CO
While there are a variety of top schools offering a range of sports management-related degrees online in Colorado, students will first and foremost want to consider the exact degree type they're interested in pursuing. We've chosen out our three "recommended" schools for Colorado below, but aspiring students should keep in mind that not each of these universities will necessarily have a program of study that can lead directly to the particular sports management career of your choice. If you're already set on pursuing sports management-related schooling in the state of Colorado, we advise you to not only consult out ranking of top schools below, but also peruse our database of all sports management-related programs in Colorado below. While there are additional benefits of pursuing an online degree in your own state (in-state tuition, and the ability to take classes or intensives in person), future students should also note that there are many online programs available nationwide, and consult our wide-ranging rankings for the top online sports management schools in the nation.
With that said, there are many top Colorado-based programs available entirely online. We've selected our top three through equally weighting two metrics: the number of sports-management related degrees available online through the institution, and the academic prestige of the given institution.
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CO Sports Management Degree Database
Great for veterans| Regis University | Denver, CO | Online SM Degrees: 2 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (303) 458-4126 3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, CO 80221
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| University of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (303) 315-5969 1201 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80204
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| Colorado Mesa University | Junction, CO | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (970) 248-1020 1100 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
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| Colorado State University Global Campus | Greenwood Village, CO | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (800) 920-6723 7800 E Orchard Rd #200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
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| Front Range Community College | Westinminster, CO | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (303) 404-5000 3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031
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