Colorado College
Colorado College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Colorado College at a Glance
Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell in his daughter's memory, the college offers over 40 majors and 30 minors, and enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates at its 90-acre (36 ha) campus.
1874
152 years old
$1.1B
$1.06 billion (2025)
2,056
2,031 undergrad · 25 grad
281
90 acres
Identity
Is Colorado College Worth It?
Colorado College offers moderate value at $33,375/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $65,222, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 87% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 18% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Colorado College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 18 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #2 | Skidmore College | 44 | $32,297 | $69,363 |
| #3 | Franklin and Marshall College | 44 | $36,425 | $76,124 |
| #4 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #5 | Colorado College | 42 | $33,375 | $65,222 |
| #6 | Pitzer College | 42 | $34,191 | $69,512 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Colorado College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Colorado College
The highest-earning program at Colorado College is Economics at $42,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $24,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Colorado College earns $42,800, while a Biology, General graduate earns $24,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $12,699 in median debt vs. $12,120 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,375/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $42,800 | $42,800 | $12,699 |
| Biology, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $12,120 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Student Body
- 2,014 students
- Admission Rate
- 18%
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,375
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,222
- Median Student Debt
- $18,257