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 analysis for Arizona.
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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