The school was established as Colorado Technical College in 1965, with a focus on training former military personnel in technical and vocational subjects. In 1995, the institution gained university status and changed its name to Colorado Technical University. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recognize CTU as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. According to Colorado Tech, CTU has more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. In 2013 and 2014, Military Times magazine ranked CTU #1 Best for Vets in the category for online and non-traditional universities. It achieved this ranking again in 2016. The CTU campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakotaclosed in September 2016. US News currently ranks CTU tied for 85th for online bachelor's programs for veterans.
Funding
CTU receives approximately 95% of all 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 and Denver, which has one campus: in Aurora. Additionally, a number of its degree programs can be completed entirely or largely online.
Academics
Colorado Tech's President is Andrew H. Hurst, who was an executive at Education Management Corporation for 10 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. Colorado Tech employs 41 full-time and 1204 part-time instructors. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Colorado Tech's online graduation rate is 24%. The Colorado Springs campus graduation rate is 27%.
Colorado Technical University is ranked tied ranked tied for 152nd on the U.S. News & World Report lists for Best Online Programs.
Lawsuits, investigations, and financial problems
Colorado Tech is currently 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.