Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Colorado College: which has better ROI?
Colorado College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,500 in 7.9 years versus 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $65,222 vs $52,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Colorado College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,327 | $33,375 |
| Total net cost | $61,308 | $133,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,093 | $65,222 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $18,257 |
| Payback | 16.4 yrs | 7.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $13,352 | $203,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College?
Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $33,375 — a gap of $18,048 a year, or $72,192 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College graduates earn more?
Colorado College graduates report a median $65,222 ten years after entry, $13,129 more than the $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College?
Colorado College: its completers carry a median $18,257 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a difference of $3,243. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Colorado College, against 32% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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.