Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs Metropolitan State University of Denver: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Colorado Springs CO · vs · Public, Denver CO

The verdict

Metropolitan State University of Denver has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,308 in 16.4 years versus not at all at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $52,093 vs $37,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Head to head
MeasureColorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsMetropolitan State University of Denver
Net price / yr$16,745$15,327
Total net cost$66,980$61,308
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,180$52,093
Median debt$29,832$21,500
Payback16.4 yrs
20-year net return$-290,580$13,352

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