Colorado Christian University vs Red Rocks Community College: which has better ROI?
Colorado Christian University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,000 in 57.4 years versus not at all at Red Rocks Community College, on median earnings of $50,416 vs $46,288 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado Christian University | Red Rocks Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,500 | $9,044 |
| Total net cost | $118,000 | $36,176 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,416 | $46,288 |
| Median debt | $28,312 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 57.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$76,880 | -$77,616 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Christian University or Red Rocks Community College?
Red Rocks Community College, at $9,044 a year after aid versus $29,500 — a gap of $20,456 a year, or $81,824 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Colorado Christian University or Red Rocks Community College graduates earn more?
Colorado Christian University graduates report a median $50,416 ten years after entry, $4,128 more than the $46,288 at Red Rocks Community College. 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, Colorado Christian University or Red Rocks Community College?
Red Rocks Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $28,312 at Colorado Christian University, a difference of $18,812. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Colorado Christian University, against 32% at Red Rocks Community College. 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.