Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Metropolitan State University of Denver: 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 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $52,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,279 | $15,327 |
| Total net cost | $85,116 | $61,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,543 | $52,093 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 7 yrs | 16.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $158,544 | $13,352 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $21,279 — a gap of $5,952 a year, or $23,808 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $8,450 more than the $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a difference of $1,500. 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 32% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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.