Ashford University vs Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs holds a 3-point ROI advantage over Ashford University, scoring 9/100 versus 6/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs comes in at $16,745 per year (net price after aid) versus $31,266 at Ashford University - a difference of $14,521 annually, or roughly $58,084 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs graduates earn a median of $37,180 compared to $35,404 at Ashford University. The payback period is 656.1 years at Ashford University versus 94.9 years at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs.
Graduates leave Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs with a median $29,832 in debt versus $31,250 at Ashford University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.88 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Ashford University | Colorado Technical Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,960 | $12,750 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,960 | $12,750 |
| Net Price (avg) | $31,266 | $16,745 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $125,064 | $66,980 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,000 | $34,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $35,404 | $37,180 |
| Graduation Rate | 10.7% | 18.8% |
| Payback Period | 656.1 yr | 94.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $31,250 | $29,832 |
| Monthly Payment | $331 | $316 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.92 | 0.88 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 42.1% | 41.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 29.3% | 32.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 20,152 | 28,086 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Ashford University | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $31,009 | $16,474 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $31,862 | $16,990 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $33,319 | $18,404 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $32,953 | $22,215 |
| $110,001+ | $33,593 | $22,394 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Ashford University | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $71,782 | $65,877 |
| Accounting | $61,522 | $57,068 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,144 | $46,981 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $53,801 | $48,816 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Ashford University | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 7 | 10 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 7 | 10 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 8 | 10 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 1 | 4 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 6 | 9 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs edges out Ashford University by 3 points (9 vs 6), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Ashford University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.