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

Public, Colorado Springs 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

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $60,130 in 5.6 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $54,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Colorado Colorado SpringsSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$15,788$30,065
Total net cost$63,152$60,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,659$59,093
Median debt$20,000$19,188
Payback10 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$62,828$154,530

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

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

University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $14,277 a year, or $3,022 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates report a median $59,093 ten years after entry, $4,434 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $20,000 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a difference of $812. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, 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.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. It clears its $60,130 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $59,093 vs $54,659 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs: $15,788/yr net price after aid versus $30,065/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $14,277 a year, or about $3,022 over four years.
Do University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn a median $59,093 ten years after entry, versus $54,659 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs — a $4,434 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.