Head-to-head comparison
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Denver: 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 Denver, CO
University of Denver
- Net price / year
- $36,131
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,155
- Payback
- 6.3 yrs
University of Denver has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,524 in 6.3 years versus 7 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, on median earnings of $71,155 vs $60,543 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,279 | $36,131 |
| Total net cost | $85,116 | $144,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,543 | $71,155 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $21,844 |
| Payback | 7 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $158,544 | $311,376 |
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 Denver?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins, at $21,279 a year after aid versus $36,131 — a gap of $14,852 a year, or $59,408 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 Denver graduates earn more?
University of Denver graduates report a median $71,155 ten years after entry, $10,612 more than the $60,543 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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 Denver?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,844 at University of Denver, a difference of $1,844. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at University of Denver, against 67% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. 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.