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Adams State University vs Pima Medical Institute-Denver: which has better ROI?

Public, Alamosa CO · vs · Private for-profit, Denver CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Adams State University comes closer — median earnings $44,372 against a $51,920 total, vs $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Denver. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAdams State UniversityPima Medical Institute-Denver
Net price / yr$12,980$22,034
Total net cost$51,920$88,136
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,372$38,673
Median debt$19,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$131,680-$281,876

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver?

Adams State University, at $12,980 a year after aid versus $22,034 — a gap of $9,054 a year, or $36,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver graduates earn more?

Adams State University graduates report a median $44,372 ten years after entry, $5,699 more than the $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Denver. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver?

Pima Medical Institute-Denver: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Adams State University, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Pima Medical Institute-Denver, against 39% at Adams State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Adams State University vs Pima Medical Institute-Denver: frequently asked questions

Is Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver a better value?
Adams State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver?
Adams State University: $12,980/yr net price after aid versus $22,034/yr at Pima Medical Institute-Denver — a difference of $9,054 a year, or about $36,216 over four years.
Do Adams State University or Pima Medical Institute-Denver graduates earn more?
Adams State University graduates earn a median $44,372 ten years after entry, versus $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Denver — a $5,699 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.