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Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Colorado Springs: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Collins CO · vs · Public, Colorado Springs CO

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

The verdict

Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,116 in 7 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $54,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColorado State University-Fort CollinsUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
Net price / yr$21,279$15,788
Total net cost$85,116$63,152
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,543$54,659
Median debt$20,000$20,000
Payback7 yrs10 yrs
20-year net return$158,544$62,828

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

Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $21,279 — a gap of $5,491 a year, or $21,964 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?

Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $5,884 more than the $54,659 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

Completers at both borrow a median $20,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, against 47% at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs: frequently asked questions

Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs a better value?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins. It clears its $85,116 net cost in about 7 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $54,659 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs: $15,788/yr net price after aid versus $21,279/yr at Colorado State University-Fort Collins — a difference of $5,491 a year, or about $21,964 over four years.
Do Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median $60,543 ten years after entry, versus $54,659 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs — a $5,884 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.