Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, Colorado · Public · 94.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 64/100 · Fair Value
Colorado State University Pueblo scores 64 (Fair Value) on CampusROI, with an unusually bifurcated profile: a very high earnings premium sub-score (90) but severely low completion (21) and repayment (36) sub-scores. Net price of $10,051 is low -- among the most affordable institutions in this batch -- making CSU Pueblo a genuine access option for Colorado residents. Median earnings of $39,100 at six years and a 10yr figure of $55,563 suggest modest but real career trajectories. The 39.7% completion rate is the critical failure point: fewer than four in ten enrollees finish within normal time, meaning the majority of students incur debt without a degree. This fundamentally limits who benefits from the low net price. Registered Nursing (110 graduates, $71,714 year-one, $80,676 year-four, B grade) is the dominant strong program. Engineering (9 graduates, $76,059 year-one, B grade) and Construction Management (19 graduates, $67,044 year-one, $91,816 year-four, B grade) also perform well. Below those, most programs range from C to F grades.
The data raises concerns about Colorado State University Pueblo
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate39.7% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Colorado State University Pueblo
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,720/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,944/yr |
| Average net price | $10,051/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $40,204 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,563 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,042 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Colorado State University Pueblo is $9,720/year ($17,944/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $10,051/year, or roughly $40,204 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,374/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $12,858/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,563 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,374 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,948 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,961 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,701 |
| $110,001+ | $12,858 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $9,374 per year -- $37,496 over four years. This is among the lowest net prices in this batch. Against $39,100 median 6-year earnings, the cost structure is workable for students who complete. The critical risk is the 39.7% completion rate: most students in this income bracket who enroll will not finish, paying years of net price without a degree. Low-income students should evaluate academic preparation and support resources carefully before treating CSU Pueblo's low price as a safe financial bet.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $10,961 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $15,701. Middle-income families get one of the lowest four-year costs in the Colorado higher education system. At these price points, even moderate-earning programs produce reasonable financial returns for students who complete. The 10-year earnings figure of $55,563 against $40,000-$63,000 in total four-year cost suggests a 5-7 year breakeven for completing students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $12,858 per year -- a surprisingly low figure for the highest income bracket, lower than the 75001-110000 bracket. This unusual inversion suggests aid structure anomalies or data quirks. At $51,432 total four-year cost, higher-income families get exceptional price. The financial case is strongest for nursing and construction management graduates.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Colorado State University Pueblo with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $80,676 | B |
| Business Administration and Management | $60,401 | C |
| Social Work | $58,449 | D |
| Psychology | $45,974 | D |
| Information Science | $63,994 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $52,746 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $43,508 | C |
| Construction Management | $91,816 | B |
| Biology | $58,607 | C |
| Sociology | $48,962 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is CSU Pueblo's anchor program at 110 graduates: $71,714 year-one and $80,676 year-four, with median debt of $27,562 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.384 (ROI grade B). Colorado's nursing market, particularly in the Pueblo and Colorado Springs corridor, provides stable employment. Year-one earnings above $71,000 make this program's debt burden manageable. Nursing is the clearest financial case for enrolling at CSU Pueblo and the primary driver of the institution's moderate ROI score.
Construction Management
Construction Management (19 graduates) earns $67,044 year-one and $91,816 year-four with median debt of $24,750 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.369 (ROI grade B). Colorado's booming construction and real estate development sector drives strong demand for construction managers. The year-four figure above $91,000 reflects the career advancement trajectory in project management. Small graduate volume limits confidence in these figures, but the B-grade outcome is consistent with the industry's compensation profile.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration (54 graduates) earns $43,067 year-one and $60,401 year-four with median debt of $25,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.580 (ROI grade C). Year-one earnings above $43,000 against $25,000 median debt is manageable but not comfortable. The four-year trajectory to $60,401 is moderate. Business administration is the second-largest program by volume and produces middle-tier outcomes consistent with a regional public university feeding primarily local and Colorado Springs employers.
Information Science
Information Science (31 graduates) earns $44,712 year-one and $63,994 year-four with median debt of $23,800 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.532 (ROI grade C+). The four-year trajectory to nearly $64,000 is solid for a C+-grade program at this price point -- CSU Pueblo's low net price improves the debt-to-earnings profile relative to higher-cost institutions with similar outcomes. IS graduates access entry-level tech and data roles in the Colorado market.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 55.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 60.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 94.9% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-26 |
| Enrollment | 3,042 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,216 |
At 94.9% admission, CSU Pueblo is effectively open-access. ACT 19-26 reflects a broad academic preparation range. No SAT data is available. The relevant evaluation factors are not admission probability but completion likelihood and program fit. Academic support, financial planning, and clear career goals are more important predictors of success at this institution than test scores or selectivity.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSU Pueblo's Scorecard peer schools include Adams State University, University of Colorado Denver, Penn State Abington, University of Arkansas Grantham, and Penn State Behrend. Among those, CSU Pueblo's 64 ROI score is competitive but its completion rate of 39.7% is the lowest in the named peer set. The earnings premium score of 90 -- meaning graduates earn 51.1% more than the local baseline -- is exceptionally high and reflects Pueblo's low-wage regional labor market rather than a premium from the degree per se. Net price of $10,051 is the lowest in its peer group and a genuine access differentiator. Institutions with similar overall scores but better completion rates represent stronger financial bets for most students.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo (this school) | 64 | $10,051 | $55,563 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 76 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | 69 | $8,370 | $63,496 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | 63 | $18,071 | $63,435 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | 60 | $24,558 | $63,435 |
| Adams State University | 29 | $12,980 | $44,372 |
Who Thrives Here
CSU Pueblo admits 94.9% of applicants with ACT mid-range of 19-26 (no SAT data). Enrollment is 3,042, reflecting a regional public university serving southern Colorado. Pell rate of 28.6% indicates significant low-income student representation. The Pueblo labor market is limited compared to Denver or Colorado Springs, so career access largely depends on program-specific employment (nursing, engineering) or willingness to relocate. Students who complete degrees in nursing or construction management have clear regional and statewide employment pipelines. The completion rate risk is the primary institutional concern -- incoming students should assess academic preparation and support resources carefully.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Colorado State University Pueblo offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $10,051 per year leads to $40,204 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $55,563 a decade out. The payback period of 8.8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 39.7% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $21,500 against $55,563 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.