University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus vs Colorado School of Mines: which has better ROI?
Colorado School of Mines has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,760 in 2.3 years versus 3 years at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, on median earnings of $97,335 vs $64,270 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Colorado School of Mines |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,900 | $28,690 |
| Total net cost | $47,600 | $114,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,270 | $97,335 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $270,600 | $864,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Colorado School of Mines?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, at $11,900 a year after aid versus $28,690 — a gap of $16,790 a year, or $67,160 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Colorado School of Mines graduates earn more?
Colorado School of Mines graduates report a median $97,335 ten years after entry, $33,065 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Colorado School of Mines?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Colorado School of Mines, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Colorado School of Mines, 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.