Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Colorado Boulder vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Boulder CO · vs · Private for-profit, Broomfield 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 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $59,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Colorado BoulderSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$25,346$30,065
Total net cost$101,384$60,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,738$59,093
Median debt$19,500$19,188
Payback4.7 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$326,176$154,530

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

Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

University of Colorado Boulder, at $25,346 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $4,719 a year, or $41,254 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

University of Colorado Boulder graduates report a median $69,738 ten years after entry, $10,645 more than the $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Colorado Boulder, a difference of $312. 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 63% at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of Colorado Boulder or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
University of Colorado Boulder. It clears its $101,384 net cost in about 4.7 years versus 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $59,093 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
University of Colorado Boulder: $25,346/yr net price after aid versus $30,065/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $4,719 a year, or about $41,254 over four years.
Do University of Colorado Boulder or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn a median $69,738 ten years after entry, versus $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a $10,645 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.