Head-to-head comparison
University of Denver vs Colorado Christian University: which has better ROI?
Option A Denver, CO
University of Denver
- Net price / year
- $36,131
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,155
- Payback
- 6.3 yrs
Option B Lakewood, CO
Colorado Christian University
- Net price / year
- $29,500
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,416
- Payback
- 57.4 yrs
University of Denver has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,524 in 6.3 years versus 57.4 years at Colorado Christian University, on median earnings of $71,155 vs $50,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Denver | Colorado Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,131 | $29,500 |
| Total net cost | $144,524 | $118,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,155 | $50,416 |
| Median debt | $21,844 | $28,312 |
| Payback | 6.3 yrs | 57.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $311,376 | -$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 Denver or Colorado Christian University?
Colorado Christian University, at $29,500 a year after aid versus $36,131 — a gap of $6,631 a year, or $26,524 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 Denver or Colorado Christian University graduates earn more?
University of Denver graduates report a median $71,155 ten years after entry, $20,739 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 Denver or Colorado Christian University?
University of Denver: its completers carry a median $21,844 in federal loans versus $28,312 at Colorado Christian University, a difference of $6,468. 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 64% at Colorado Christian University. 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.