Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs Adams State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Adams State University comes closer — median earnings $44,372 against a $51,920 total, vs $37,180 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Adams State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,745 | $12,980 |
| Total net cost | $66,980 | $51,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,180 | $44,372 |
| Median debt | $29,832 | $19,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$290,580 | -$131,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or Adams State University?
Adams State University, at $12,980 a year after aid versus $16,745 — a gap of $3,765 a year, or $15,060 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 Technical University-Colorado Springs or Adams State University graduates earn more?
Adams State University graduates report a median $44,372 ten years after entry, $7,192 more than the $37,180 at Colorado Technical University-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 Technical University-Colorado Springs or Adams State University?
Adams State University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $29,832 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, a difference of $10,332. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at Adams State University, against 19% at Colorado Technical University-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.