University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins: which has better ROI?
University of Colorado Boulder has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,384 in 4.7 years versus 7 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $60,543 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Boulder | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,346 | $21,279 |
| Total net cost | $101,384 | $85,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,738 | $60,543 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $326,176 | $158,544 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins, at $21,279 a year after aid versus $25,346 — a gap of $4,067 a year, or $16,268 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Boulder graduates report a median $69,738 ten years after entry, $9,195 more than the $60,543 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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, University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
University of Colorado Boulder: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at University of Colorado Boulder, against 67% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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.