The University of Texas at San Antonio vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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
The University of Texas at San Antonio and Colorado State University-Fort Collins are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at San Antonio scores 68/100 while Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 69/100 - 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, The University of Texas at San Antonio comes in at $10,836 per year (net price after aid) versus $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins - a difference of $10,443 annually, or roughly $41,772 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median of $60,543 compared to $57,131 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The payback period is 8.3 years at The University of Texas at San Antonio versus 8.8 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Graduates leave Colorado State University-Fort Collins with a median $20,000 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.53 and 0.50 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | Colorado State University... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,011 | $13,373 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,051 | $34,783 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,836 | $21,279 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $43,344 | $85,116 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,800 | $39,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,131 | $60,543 |
| Graduation Rate | 52.6% | 66.5% |
| Payback Period | 8.3 yr | 8.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $20,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $212 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.53 | 0.50 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 66.2% | 78.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.7% | 73.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.8% | 88.5% |
| Enrollment | 30,580 | 25,538 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,870 | $13,259 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,847 | $14,460 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,172 | $15,905 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,446 | $21,927 |
| $110,001+ | $20,489 | $29,763 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $106,358 | $114,076 |
| Electrical Engineering | $90,846 | $99,172 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,062 | $94,260 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,166 | $88,001 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,018 | $79,256 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $57,540 | $71,631 |
| Chemistry | $57,652 | $71,615 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $45,035 | $70,343 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $46,726 | $69,269 |
| International Relations | $53,674 | $67,873 |
| Hospitality Administration | $55,821 | $62,556 |
| Interior Architecture | $61,356 | $61,894 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,267 | $61,434 |
| Biology | $56,721 | $60,981 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,399 | $60,835 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 67 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 73 | 69 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 67 | 73 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 44 | 71 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 29 | 66 |
| Overall ROI Score | 68 | 69 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Colorado State University-Fort Collins edges out The University of Texas at San Antonio 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.
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The University of Texas at San Antonio
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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.