University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Denver: 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 6.3 years at University of Denver, on median earnings of $69,738 vs $71,155 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Boulder | University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,346 | $36,131 |
| Total net cost | $101,384 | $144,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,738 | $71,155 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,844 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $326,176 | $311,376 |
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 Denver?
University of Colorado Boulder, at $25,346 a year after aid versus $36,131 — a gap of $10,785 a year, or $43,140 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 Denver graduates earn more?
University of Denver graduates report a median $71,155 ten years after entry, $1,417 more than the $69,738 at University of Colorado Boulder. 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 Denver?
University of Colorado Boulder: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,844 at University of Denver, a difference of $2,344. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at University of Denver, against 74% at University of Colorado Boulder. 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.