University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $47,600 in 3 years versus 4.7 years at University of Colorado Boulder, on median earnings of $64,270 vs $69,738 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Boulder | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,346 | $11,900 |
| Total net cost | $101,384 | $47,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,738 | $64,270 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $326,176 | $270,600 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Boulder or University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, at $11,900 a year after aid versus $25,346 — a gap of $13,446 a year, or $53,784 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Boulder graduates report a median $69,738 ten years after entry, $5,468 more than the $64,270 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus?
University of Colorado Boulder: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, a difference of $1,000. 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 46% at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. 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.