Head-to-head comparison
University of Colorado Colorado Springs vs Colorado Christian University: which has better ROI?
Option A Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Net price / year
- $15,788
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,659
- Payback
- 10 yrs
Option B Lakewood, CO
Colorado Christian University
- Net price / year
- $29,500
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,416
- Payback
- 57.4 yrs
University of Colorado Colorado Springs has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,152 in 10 years versus 57.4 years at Colorado Christian University, on median earnings of $54,659 vs $50,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,788 | $29,500 |
| Total net cost | $63,152 | $118,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,659 | $50,416 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $28,312 |
| Payback | 10 yrs | 57.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $62,828 | -$76,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Colorado Christian University?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $29,500 — a gap of $13,712 a year, or $54,848 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Colorado Christian University graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates report a median $54,659 ten years after entry, $4,243 more than the $50,416 at Colorado Christian University. 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, University of Colorado Colorado Springs or Colorado Christian University?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $28,312 at Colorado Christian University, a difference of $8,312. 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?
64% of students finish at Colorado Christian University, 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.