University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, 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, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus comes in at $11,900 per year (net price after aid) versus $25,346 at University of Colorado Boulder - a difference of $13,446 annually, or roughly $53,784 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn a median of $69,738 compared to $64,270 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. The payback period is 6.9 years at University of Colorado Boulder versus 6.4 years at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus.
Graduates leave University of Colorado Boulder with a median $19,500 in debt versus $20,500 at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Colorado Bo... | University of Colorado De... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,666 | $10,383 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $44,918 | $29,391 |
| Net Price (avg) | $25,346 | $11,900 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $101,384 | $47,600 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $48,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,738 | $64,270 |
| Graduation Rate | 74.2% | 46.2% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 6.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.4% | 70.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.2% | 67.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.1% | 74.7% |
| Enrollment | 31,939 | 10,519 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1430 | 980-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Colora... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,231 | $6,743 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,381 | $9,472 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,828 | $10,834 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $26,915 | $15,232 |
| $110,001+ | $34,818 | $22,475 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Colora... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $100,631 | $110,754 |
| Civil Engineering | $94,960 | $92,224 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,073 | $94,320 |
| Mathematics | $90,635 | $62,085 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $86,441 | $75,142 |
| Economics | $73,319 | $71,385 |
| International Relations | $69,651 | $58,854 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,623 | $62,882 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $59,796 | $61,344 |
| Sociology | $58,026 | $49,619 |
| Geography and Cartography | $57,677 | $57,285 |
| Psychology | $56,867 | $52,990 |
| English Language and Literature | $54,085 | $54,500 |
| History | $49,401 | $53,686 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,297 | $49,842 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Colora... | University of Colora... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 75 | 94 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 87 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 85 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 84 | 31 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 40 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Colorado Boulder edges out University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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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University of Colorado Boulder
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
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.