Pikes Peak State College vs Adams State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Adams State University comes closer — median earnings $44,372 against a $51,920 total, vs $40,796 at Pikes Peak State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pikes Peak State College | Adams State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,007 | $12,980 |
| Total net cost | $12,014 | $51,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,796 | $44,372 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $19,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$163,294 | -$131,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pikes Peak State College or Adams State University?
Pikes Peak State College, at $6,007 a year after aid versus $12,980 — a gap of $6,973 a year, or $39,906 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pikes Peak State College or Adams State University graduates earn more?
Adams State University graduates report a median $44,372 ten years after entry, $3,576 more than the $40,796 at Pikes Peak State College. 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, Pikes Peak State College or Adams State University?
Pikes Peak State College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Adams State University, a difference of $10,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at Adams State University, against 21% at Pikes Peak State College. 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.