Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs Ashford University
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 94.9 years at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs versus 656.1 years at Ashford University.
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 0.88 and 0.92 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Colorado Technical Univer... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,750 | $11,960 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $12,750 | $11,960 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,745 | $31,266 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,980 | $125,064 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,100 | $34,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $37,180 | $35,404 |
| Graduation Rate | 18.8% | 10.7% |
| Payback Period | 94.9 yr | 656.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $29,832 | $31,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $316 | $331 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.88 | 0.92 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 41.5% | 42.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.0% | 29.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 28,086 | 20,152 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Colorado Technical U... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $16,474 | $31,009 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $16,990 | $31,862 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,404 | $33,319 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,215 | $32,953 |
| $110,001+ | $22,394 | $33,593 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Colorado Technical U... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,877 | $71,782 |
| Accounting | $57,068 | $61,522 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,981 | $60,144 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $48,816 | $53,801 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Colorado Technical U... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 10 | 7 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 7 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 10 | 8 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 4 | 1 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 9 | 6 |
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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Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Ashford University
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.