The cost of college in Colorado — and what it pays back
Across the 50 Colorado institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,468/yr, $438 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $43,242 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 14 of the 50 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$16,468
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$43,242
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
5.9 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
14/50
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Colorado's 50 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong5
Solid6
Slow2
Weak37
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $97,335 | 2.3 yrs |
| Colorado State University Global | $16,510 | $76,813 | 2.3 yrs |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $11,900 | $64,270 | 3 yrs |
| Regis University | $18,397 | $72,105 | 3.1 yrs |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $69,738 | 4.7 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak State College | $6,007 | $40,796 | no payback |
| Pickens Technical College | $6,600 | $39,210 | no payback |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | $7,197 | $35,487 | no payback |
| Colorado Mountain College | $7,813 | $44,127 | no payback |
| Community College of Aurora | $8,656 | $44,592 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Colorado?
The median net price across Colorado colleges is $16,468/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Colorado cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $16,468/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $438/yr less.
What do Colorado college graduates earn?
A median $43,242 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Colorado college pays for itself fastest?
Colorado School of Mines — about 2.3 years to clear its $114,760 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-colorado page.