Head-to-head comparison
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?
Option A Denver, CO
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Net price / year
- $11,900
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,270
- Payback
- 3 yrs
Option B Broomfield, CO
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Net price / year
- $30,065
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,093
- Payback
- 5.6 yrs
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $47,600 in 3 years versus 5.6 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $64,270 vs $59,093 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,900 | $30,065 |
| Total net cost | $47,600 | $60,130 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,270 | $59,093 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $19,188 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 5.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $270,600 | $154,530 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, at $11,900 a year after aid versus $30,065 — a gap of $18,165 a year, or $12,530 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates report a median $64,270 ten years after entry, $5,177 more than the $59,093 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $19,188 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, a difference of $1,312. 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?
63% of students finish at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, against 46% at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. 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.