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Colorado College vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Colorado Springs CO · vs · Private for-profit, Broomfield CO

The verdict

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $60,130 in 5.6 years versus 7.9 years at Colorado College, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $65,222 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColorado CollegeSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$33,375$30,065
Total net cost$133,500$60,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,222$59,093
Median debt$18,257$19,188
Payback7.9 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$203,740$154,530

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

Which is cheaper, Colorado College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, at $30,065 a year after aid versus $33,375 — a gap of $3,310 a year, or $73,370 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 College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

Colorado College graduates report a median $65,222 ten years after entry, $6,129 more than the $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Colorado College: its completers carry a median $18,257 in federal loans versus $19,188 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, a difference of $931. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at Colorado College, against 63% at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 College vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Colorado College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. It clears its $60,130 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 7.9 years at Colorado College, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $65,222 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colorado College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: $30,065/yr net price after aid versus $33,375/yr at Colorado College — a difference of $3,310 a year, or about $73,370 over four years.
Do Colorado College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Colorado College graduates earn a median $65,222 ten years after entry, versus $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a $6,129 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.