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Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder vs Trinidad State College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Boulder CO · vs · Public, Trinidad CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Trinidad State College comes closer — median earnings $36,475 against a $43,088 total, vs $32,001 at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAuguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-BoulderTrinidad State College
Net price / yr$13,367$10,772
Total net cost$53,468$43,088
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,001$36,475
Median debt$9,653$8,908
Payback
20-year net return-$380,648-$280,788

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

Which is cheaper, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College?

Trinidad State College, at $10,772 a year after aid versus $13,367 — a gap of $2,595 a year, or $10,380 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College graduates earn more?

Trinidad State College graduates report a median $36,475 ten years after entry, $4,474 more than the $32,001 at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder. 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, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College?

Trinidad State College: its completers carry a median $8,908 in federal loans versus $9,653 at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder, a difference of $745. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Trinidad State College, against 48% at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder. 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.

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder vs Trinidad State College: frequently asked questions

Is Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College a better value?
Trinidad State College 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, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College?
Trinidad State College: $10,772/yr net price after aid versus $13,367/yr at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder — a difference of $2,595 a year, or about $10,380 over four years.
Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Trinidad State College graduates earn more?
Trinidad State College graduates earn a median $36,475 ten years after entry, versus $32,001 at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder — a $4,474 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.