Colorado State University Pueblo
Colorado State University Pueblo — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Colorado State University Pueblo at a Glance
Colorado State University Pueblo is a regional comprehensive public university in Pueblo, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Colorado State University System and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
1933
93 years old
4,000
3,228 undergrad · 502 grad
372
15:1 student:faculty
279 acres
Identity
Is Colorado State University Pueblo Worth It?
Colorado State University Pueblo offers moderate value at $10,051/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,563, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Colorado State University Pueblo compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CO
Ranked #17 of 113 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #17 | Colorado State University Pueblo | 54 | $10,051 | $55,563 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Colorado State University Pueblo's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CO.
Best Programs at Colorado State University Pueblo
The highest-earning program at Colorado State University Pueblo is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Colorado State University Pueblo earns $58,900, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $26,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,146 in median debt vs. $20,250 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,051/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,900 | $58,900 | $20,146 |
| Engineering, Other | $50,200 | $50,200 | $26,853 |
| Information Science/Studies | $42,500 | $42,500 | $21,480 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,500 | $34,500 | $19,617 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,600 | $33,600 | $19,875 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,900 | $32,900 | $19,500 |
| Sociology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $18,412 |
| Social Work | $32,400 | $32,400 | $18,691 |
| Biology, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $16,717 |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $23,125 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,100 | $27,100 | $19,950 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,700 | $26,700 | $21,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $20,250 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pueblo, CO
- Student Body
- 3,042 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,051
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,563
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500