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Colorado Christian University vs Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lakewood CO · vs · Private for-profit, Lakewood CO

The verdict

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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $50,416 vs $42,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColorado Christian UniversityRocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Net price / yr$29,500$32,363
Total net cost$118,000$129,452
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,416$42,958
Median debt$28,312$31,000
Payback57.4 yrs
20-year net return-$76,880-$237,492

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

Which is cheaper, Colorado Christian University or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

Colorado Christian University, at $29,500 a year after aid versus $32,363 — a gap of $2,863 a year, or $11,452 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates earn more?

Colorado Christian University graduates report a median $50,416 ten years after entry, $7,458 more than the $42,958 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?

Colorado Christian University: its completers carry a median $28,312 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, a difference of $2,688. 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. 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.

Colorado Christian University vs Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design: frequently asked questions

Is Colorado Christian University or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design a better value?
Colorado Christian University. It clears its $118,000 net cost in about 57.4 years versus no clear payback at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $50,416 vs $42,958 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Christian University or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Colorado Christian University: $29,500/yr net price after aid versus $32,363/yr at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — a difference of $2,863 a year, or about $11,452 over four years.
Do Colorado Christian University or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
Colorado Christian University graduates earn a median $50,416 ten years after entry, versus $42,958 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — a $7,458 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.