Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs Metropolitan State University of Denver: which has better ROI?
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.)
| Measure | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Metropolitan 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 |
| Payback | — | 16.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$290,580 | $13,352 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $16,745 — a gap of $1,418 a year, or $5,672 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn more?
Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates report a median $52,093 ten years after entry, $14,913 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $29,832 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, a difference of $8,332. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
32% of students finish at Metropolitan State University of Denver, 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.