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Head-to-head comparison

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Colorado College: which has better ROI?

Public, Denver CO · vs · Private nonprofit, Colorado Springs CO

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Denver, CO

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Net price / year
$15,327
Earnings, 10 years
$52,093
Payback
16.4 yrs

Option B Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College

Net price / year
$33,375
Earnings, 10 years
$65,222
Payback
7.9 yrs
The verdict

Colorado College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,500 in 7.9 years versus 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $65,222 vs $52,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMetropolitan State University of DenverColorado College
Net price / yr$15,327$33,375
Total net cost$61,308$133,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,093$65,222
Median debt$21,500$18,257
Payback16.4 yrs7.9 yrs
20-year net return$13,352$203,740

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College?

Metropolitan State University of Denver, at $15,327 a year after aid versus $33,375 — a gap of $18,048 a year, or $72,192 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College graduates earn more?

Colorado College graduates report a median $65,222 ten years after entry, $13,129 more than the $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College?

Colorado College: its completers carry a median $18,257 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a difference of $3,243. 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?

88% of students finish at Colorado College, against 32% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Colorado College: frequently asked questions

Is Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College a better value?
Colorado College. It clears its $133,500 net cost in about 7.9 years versus 16.4 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, on median earnings of $65,222 vs $52,093 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College?
Metropolitan State University of Denver: $15,327/yr net price after aid versus $33,375/yr at Colorado College — a difference of $18,048 a year, or about $72,192 over four years.
Do Metropolitan State University of Denver or Colorado College graduates earn more?
Colorado College graduates earn a median $65,222 ten years after entry, versus $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver — a $13,129 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.