Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs at a Glance
Colorado Technical University is a private for-profit university with its main campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1965, CTU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, primarily in business, management, and technology. About 92% of Colorado Tech's students are fully online. According to Colorado Tech, the university has conferred more than 158,000 degrees worldwide. Colorado Tech has no public or official affiliation with the State of Colorado and it is owned by the for-p…
Is Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Worth It?
At a value score of 10/100, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $37,180 — 31% below average — while paying $16,745/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 18% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $29,832 representing 80% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 7 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 | American Public University System | 64 | $9,597 | $44,409 |
| #2 | ECPI University | 20 | $22,965 | $42,837 |
| #3 | Capella University | 16 | $17,956 | $42,189 |
| #4 | DeVry University-Illinois | 14 | $30,770 | $45,987 |
| #5 | Post University | 13 | $21,634 | $38,696 |
| #6 | Full Sail University | 12 | $38,875 | $38,219 |
| #7 | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | 10 | $16,745 | $37,180 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
The highest-earning program at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $31,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs earns $71,500, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $31,400. 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 $15,614 in median debt vs. $43,258 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,745/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 | $71,500 | $71,500 | $15,614 |
| Computer Science | $59,500 | $59,500 | $33,578 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,300 | $54,300 | $40,455 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,600 | $45,600 | $39,029 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,100 | $36,100 | $40,791 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $31,900 | $31,900 | $38,109 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $42,664 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,400 | $31,400 | $43,258 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Student Body
- 28,086 students
- Graduation Rate
- 18%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,745
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,180
- Median Student Debt
- $29,832