By the CampusROI Editorial Team · Editorial standards
Best College Value in Colorado: Top Schools by ROI (2026)
Colorado School of Mines scores 94/100 ROI at $28,690 net price with $97,335 median earnings - one of the best engineering values nationally. CU Boulder at $25,346 net is the broad public flagship.
Colorado's ROI ranking is defined by one standout: the Colorado School of Mines, whose applied-science focus produces earnings that rival far more expensive private engineering schools. Here's the full picture.
Top Colorado Schools by ROI Score
| Rank | School | ROI Score | Net Price | 10-Yr Earnings | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Mines | 94/100 | $28,690 | $97,335 | 82% |
| 2 | Regis University | 81/100 | $18,397 | $72,105 | 61% |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder | 80/100 | $25,346 | $69,738 | 74% |
| 4 | CU Denver / Anschutz | 76/100 | $11,900 | $64,270 | 46% |
| 5 | University of Denver | 71/100 | $36,131 | $71,155 | 76% |
Colorado School of Mines: Top Engineering Value
Colorado School of Mines scores 94/100 at $28,690 net price with $97,335 median earnings. Those outcomes put Mines in the same earnings tier as elite private engineering schools, but at a public-school price for in-state students.
Mines is narrow by design - engineering, computer science, and earth/energy sciences dominate the curriculum. If that's your field, it's one of the best deals in the country. If it isn't, look elsewhere first.
Regis and CU Denver: The Low-Net-Price Plays
Regis University scores 81/100 at $18,397 net - a Jesuit school with strong nursing and health-sciences placement in the Denver metro. CU Denver / Anschutz posts the lowest net price on the list at $11,900; its 46% graduation rate drags the score, but for students who finish, the earnings-to-cost math is strong.
CU Boulder: The Broad Public Flagship
CU Boulder at $25,346 net, $69,738 earnings, ROI 80/100 is the broad-curriculum flagship. Aerospace engineering is a national-caliber program (Boulder feeds directly into Colorado's space and defense sector), and business and the sciences place well regionally.
University of Denver: Private Alternative
DU at $36,131 net and $71,155 earnings scores 71/100. The higher price point means the value case depends on aid - its business and international-studies programs are well-regarded, but compare your specific net price against CU Boulder before committing.
The Bottom Line
Colorado's best values: Mines for STEM at a price that's hard to beat, CU Boulder for the broad public flagship experience, Regis for health sciences. For Mountain West and neighboring comparisons, see our companion analyses for Arizona and Nevada, where UNLV runs $10,359 a year and the highest-earning school in the state graduates only one student in five.
Data: College Scorecard 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Colorado college has the best ROI?
Colorado School of Mines leads at 94/100 ROI with $28,690 net price and $97,335 median earnings - exceptional for any school, driven by its engineering and applied-science focus. CU Boulder scores 80/100 at $25,346 net and is the best broad-curriculum public option.
Is Colorado School of Mines worth it?
For engineering, geosciences, and applied-science students, unambiguously yes. $97,335 median earnings against a $28,690 net price produces a payback period under 4 years. Mines is narrowly focused, so it is the right call only if you want a STEM-heavy curriculum.
Is CU Boulder worth the cost?
CU Boulder scores 80/100 at $25,346 net price and $69,738 median earnings. It is the strongest broad public flagship in the state, with solid aerospace, engineering, and business programs. For Colorado residents, it is a reasonable baseline against private alternatives.
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