University of Colorado Colorado Springs vs Colorado College: which has better ROI?
Colorado College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,500 in 7.9 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $65,222 vs $54,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,788 | $33,375 |
| Total net cost | $63,152 | $133,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,659 | $65,222 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $18,257 |
| Payback | 10 yrs | 7.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $62,828 | $203,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Colorado College?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $33,375 — a gap of $17,587 a year, or $70,348 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 Colorado Springs or Colorado College graduates earn more?
Colorado College graduates report a median $65,222 ten years after entry, $10,563 more than the $54,659 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs or Colorado College?
Colorado College: its completers carry a median $18,257 in federal loans versus $20,000 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a difference of $1,743. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Colorado College, against 47% at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 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.