Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins: 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 not at all at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $37,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,745 | $21,279 |
| Total net cost | $66,980 | $85,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,180 | $60,543 |
| Median debt | $29,832 | $20,000 |
| Payback | — | 7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$290,580 | $158,544 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, at $16,745 a year after aid versus $21,279 — a gap of $4,534 a year, or $18,136 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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $23,363 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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $29,832 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, a difference of $9,832. 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 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.