Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Oregon
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 State University-Fort Collins and University of Oregon are closely matched on financial return. Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 69/100 while University of Oregon scores 68/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Colorado State University-Fort Collins comes in at $21,279 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,182 at University of Oregon - a difference of $903 annually, or roughly $3,612 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Oregon graduates earn a median of $61,324 compared to $60,543 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The payback period is 8.8 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins versus 8.7 years at University of Oregon.
Graduates leave Colorado State University-Fort Collins with a median $20,000 in debt versus $20,139 at University of Oregon. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.50 and 0.51 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Colorado State University... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,373 | $16,137 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,783 | $44,598 |
| Net Price (avg) | $21,279 | $22,182 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $85,116 | $88,728 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,900 | $39,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,543 | $61,324 |
| Graduation Rate | 66.5% | 71.7% |
| Payback Period | 8.8 yr | 8.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,000 | $20,139 |
| Monthly Payment | $212 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.50 | 0.51 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 78.7% | 69.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.8% | 67.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.5% | 88.3% |
| Enrollment | 25,538 | 20,497 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Colorado State Unive... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,259 | $15,909 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,460 | $15,760 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,905 | $18,364 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $21,927 | $24,704 |
| $110,001+ | $29,763 | $31,021 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Colorado State Unive... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $114,076 | $100,540 |
| Mathematics | $47,835 | $82,191 |
| Chemistry | $71,615 | $81,984 |
| Economics | $69,934 | $75,695 |
| Physics | $51,927 | $75,160 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $71,631 | $52,007 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,434 | $70,532 |
| International Relations | $67,873 | $62,408 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $65,940 | $65,573 |
| Biology | $60,981 | $51,459 |
| Philosophy | $27,810 | $58,635 |
| Sociology | $57,300 | $55,204 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $55,647 | $46,886 |
| Journalism | $53,528 | $55,615 |
| Psychology | $54,268 | $50,810 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Colorado State Unive... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 67 | 66 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 69 | 71 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 73 | 72 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 71 | 81 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 66 | 39 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 68 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Colorado State University-Fort Collins edges out University of Oregon by 1 points (69 vs 68), 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Oregon
Fair 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.