Texas Tech University vs University of Colorado Boulder
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
University of Colorado Boulder holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Texas Tech University, scoring 80/100 versus 76/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Texas Tech University comes in at $19,070 per year (net price after aid) versus $25,346 at University of Colorado Boulder - a difference of $6,276 annually, or roughly $25,104 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn a median of $69,738 compared to $62,454 at Texas Tech University. The payback period is 7.9 years at Texas Tech University versus 6.9 years at University of Colorado Boulder.
Graduates leave University of Colorado Boulder with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Texas Tech University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas Tech University | University of Colorado Bo... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,852 | $15,666 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $24,451 | $44,918 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,070 | $25,346 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $76,280 | $101,384 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,800 | $42,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,454 | $69,738 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.7% | 74.2% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 6.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.7% | 82.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.8% | 77.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 72.7% | 78.1% |
| Enrollment | 32,394 | 31,939 |
| SAT Range | 1090-1280 | 1240-1430 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas Tech Universit... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,457 | $14,231 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,851 | $14,381 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,058 | $18,828 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,073 | $26,915 |
| $110,001+ | $24,622 | $34,818 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas Tech Universit... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $92,615 | $115,181 |
| Electrical Engineering | $107,110 | $100,631 |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,747 | $95,780 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,113 | $93,073 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,969 | $94,960 |
| Mathematics | $69,664 | $90,635 |
| Environmental Engineering | $90,143 | $82,020 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,702 | $86,441 |
| Physics | $57,435 | $75,764 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,247 | $74,779 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $74,591 | $60,453 |
| Economics | $68,973 | $73,319 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $57,262 | $72,306 |
| International Relations | $59,466 | $69,651 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $63,013 | $68,488 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas Tech Universit... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 83 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 80 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 76 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 63 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 80 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Colorado Boulder edges out Texas Tech University by 4 points (80 vs 76), 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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Texas Tech University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Colorado Boulder
Strong 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.