Colorado School of Mines vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?
Colorado School of Mines has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,760 in 2.3 years versus 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $97,335 vs $59,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado School of Mines | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,690 | $30,065 |
| Total net cost | $114,760 | $60,130 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $97,335 | $59,093 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $19,188 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 5.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $864,740 | $154,530 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado School of Mines or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Colorado School of Mines, at $28,690 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $1,375 a year, or $54,630 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 School of Mines or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates report a median $97,335 ten years after entry, $38,242 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 School of Mines or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Colorado School of Mines, a difference of $3,812. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Colorado School of Mines, 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.