Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

Public, Denver CO · vs · Public, Colorado Springs CO

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $54,659 vs $52,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMetropolitan State University of DenverUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
Net price / yr$15,327$15,788
Total net cost$61,308$63,152
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,093$54,659
Median debt$21,500$20,000
Payback16.4 yrs10 yrs
20-year net return$13,352$62,828

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

Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University of Denver or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $15,788 — a gap of $461 a year, or $1,844 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates report a median $54,659 ten years after entry, $2,566 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a difference of $1,500. 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 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.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs University of Colorado Colorado Springs: frequently asked questions

Is Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $54,659 vs $52,093 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University of Denver or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
Metropolitan State University of Denver: $15,327/yr net price after aid versus $15,788/yr at University of Colorado Colorado Springs — a difference of $461 a year, or about $1,844 over four years.
Do Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver — a $2,566 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.