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

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

The verdict

University of Colorado Colorado Springs has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,152 in 10 years versus not at all at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $54,659 vs $37,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
Net price / yr$16,745$15,788
Total net cost$66,980$63,152
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,180$54,659
Median debt$29,832$20,000
Payback10 yrs
20-year net return-$290,580$62,828

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

Which is cheaper, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $16,745 — a gap of $957 a year, or $3,828 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates report a median $54,659 ten years after entry, $17,479 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs: 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?

47% of students finish at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 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.

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs University of Colorado Colorado Springs: frequently asked questions

Is Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or University of Colorado Colorado Springs a better value?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs. It clears its $63,152 net cost in about 10 years versus no clear payback at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $54,659 vs $37,180 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs: $15,788/yr net price after aid versus $16,745/yr at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — a difference of $957 a year, or about $3,828 over four years.
Do Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs or University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn a median $54,659 ten years after entry, versus $37,180 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — a $17,479 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.