University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
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 Phoenix-Arizona and Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs are closely matched on financial return. University of Phoenix-Arizona scores 8/100 while Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs scores 9/100 - 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, University of Phoenix-Arizona comes in at $13,520 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,745 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs - a difference of $3,225 annually, or roughly $12,900 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Phoenix-Arizona graduates earn a median of $37,752 compared to $37,180 at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. The payback period is 70.5 years at University of Phoenix-Arizona versus 94.9 years at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs.
Graduates leave Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs with a median $29,832 in debt versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.88 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Phoenix-Ari... | Colorado Technical Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,552 | $12,750 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $9,552 | $12,750 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,520 | $16,745 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $54,080 | $66,980 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $34,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $37,752 | $37,180 |
| Graduation Rate | 20.8% | 18.8% |
| Payback Period | 70.5 yr | 94.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $31,553 | $29,832 |
| Monthly Payment | $335 | $316 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.92 | 0.88 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 42.1% | 41.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.1% | 32.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 85,991 | 28,086 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Phoeni... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,776 | $16,474 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,833 | $16,990 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,963 | $18,404 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $17,177 | $22,215 |
| $110,001+ | $19,150 | $22,394 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Phoeni... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $109,844 | $95,519 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $71,385 | $84,277 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $75,805 | $78,606 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,425 | $65,877 |
| Accounting | $63,113 | $57,068 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,662 | $46,981 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,365 | $48,816 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Phoeni... | Colorado Technical U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 11 | 10 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 10 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 7 | 10 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 5 | 4 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 8 | 9 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs edges out University of Phoenix-Arizona 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
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.