Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

Public, Boulder CO · vs · Public, Denver CO

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

The verdict

University of Colorado Boulder has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,384 in 4.7 years versus 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $52,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Colorado BoulderMetropolitan State University of Denver
Net price / yr$25,346$15,327
Total net cost$101,384$61,308
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,738$52,093
Median debt$19,500$21,500
Payback4.7 yrs16.4 yrs
20-year net return$326,176$13,352

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

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $25,346 — a gap of $10,019 a year, or $40,076 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn more?

University of Colorado Boulder graduates report a median $69,738 ten years after entry, $17,645 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, University of Colorado Boulder or Metropolitan State University of Denver?

University of Colorado Boulder: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a difference of $2,000. 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 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.

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

Is University of Colorado Boulder or Metropolitan State University of Denver a better value?
University of Colorado Boulder. It clears its $101,384 net cost in about 4.7 years versus 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $52,093 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver: $15,327/yr net price after aid versus $25,346/yr at University of Colorado Boulder — a difference of $10,019 a year, or about $40,076 over four years.
Do University of Colorado Boulder or Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn a median $69,738 ten years after entry, versus $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver — a $17,645 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.