Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs vs South University-Columbia
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 and South University-Columbia are closely matched on financial return. Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs scores 9/100 while South University-Columbia scores 8/100 - 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 Technical University-Colorado Springs comes in at $16,745 per year (net price after aid) versus $27,693 at South University-Columbia - a difference of $10,948 annually, or roughly $43,792 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs graduates earn a median of $37,180 compared to $34,421 at South University-Columbia. The payback period is 94.9 years at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs versus 999 years at South University-Columbia.
Graduates leave South University-Columbia with a median $26,123 in debt versus $29,832 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.88 and 0.80 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Colorado Technical Univer... | South University-Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,750 | $18,145 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $12,750 | $18,145 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,745 | $27,693 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,980 | $110,772 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,100 | $32,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $37,180 | $34,421 |
| Graduation Rate | 18.8% | 23.3% |
| Payback Period | 94.9 yr | 999 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $29,832 | $26,123 |
| Monthly Payment | $316 | $277 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.88 | 0.80 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 41.5% | 45.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.0% | 27.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 28,086 | 450 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Colorado Technical U... | South University-Col... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $16,474 | $26,588 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $16,990 | $30,474 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,404 | $32,022 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,215 | $29,386 |
| $110,001+ | $22,394 | N/A |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Colorado Technical U... | South University-Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $95,519 | $91,363 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,877 | $53,445 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $48,816 | $46,885 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,981 | $46,322 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Colorado Technical U... | South University-Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 10 | 6 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 7 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 10 | 15 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 4 | 6 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 6 |
| Overall ROI Score | 9 | 8 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs edges out South University-Columbia by 1 points (9 vs 8), 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
South University-Columbia
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.