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University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Denver 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

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 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $64,270 vs $59,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$11,900$30,065
Total net cost$47,600$60,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,270$59,093
Median debt$20,500$19,188
Payback3 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$270,600$154,530

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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, at $11,900 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $18,165 a year, or $12,530 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates report a median $64,270 ten years after entry, $5,177 more than the $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, a difference of $1,312. 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 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.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. It clears its $47,600 net cost in about 3 years versus 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $64,270 vs $59,093 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus: $11,900/yr net price after aid versus $30,065/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $18,165 a year, or about $12,530 over four years.
Do University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates earn a median $64,270 ten years after entry, versus $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a $5,177 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.