Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Colorado Christian University: which has better ROI?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,116 in 7 years versus 57.4 years at Colorado Christian University, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $50,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Colorado Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,279 | $29,500 |
| Total net cost | $85,116 | $118,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,543 | $50,416 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $28,312 |
| Payback | 7 yrs | 57.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $158,544 | -$76,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Christian University?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins, at $21,279 a year after aid versus $29,500 — a gap of $8,221 a year, or $32,884 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 State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Christian University graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $10,127 more than the $50,416 at Colorado Christian University. 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 State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Christian University?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $28,312 at Colorado Christian University, a difference of $8,312. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, against 64% at Colorado Christian University. 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.