Head-to-head comparison
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Colorado Springs: which has better ROI?
Option A Fort Collins, CO
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Net price / year
- $21,279
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,543
- Payback
- 7 yrs
Option B Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Net price / year
- $15,788
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,659
- Payback
- 10 yrs
Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,116 in 7 years versus 10 years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, on median earnings of $60,543 vs $54,659 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | University of Colorado Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,279 | $15,788 |
| Total net cost | $85,116 | $63,152 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,543 | $54,659 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 7 yrs | 10 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $158,544 | $62,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $21,279 — a gap of $5,491 a year, or $21,964 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates report a median $60,543 ten years after entry, $5,884 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
Completers at both borrow a median $20,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, 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.