Degree Dividend
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Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Collins CO · vs · Private for-profit, Broomfield CO

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $60,543 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColorado State University-Fort CollinsSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$21,279$30,065
Total net cost$85,116$60,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,543$59,093
Median debt$20,000$19,188
Payback7 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$158,544$154,530

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

Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Colorado State University-Fort Collins, at $21,279 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $8,786 a year, or $24,986 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $1,450 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 State University-Fort Collins or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, a difference of $812. 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 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 State University-Fort Collins vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins 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 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $60,543 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: $21,279/yr net price after aid versus $30,065/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $8,786 a year, or about $24,986 over four years.
Do Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median $60,543 ten years after entry, versus $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a $1,450 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.