University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs at a Glance
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a public research university in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is one of four campuses that make up the University of Colorado system. As of fall 2023, UCCS had over 11,000 students, including more than 9,000 undergraduates and nearly 2,000 graduate students. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
1965
61 years old
$1.5B
$1.5 billion (systemwide)
11,153
9,040 undergrad · 2,113 grad
795
520 acres
Identity
Is University of Colorado Colorado Springs Worth It?
University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers moderate value at $15,788/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,659, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Colorado Colorado Springs compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CO
Ranked #71 of 122 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #71 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | 40 | $15,788 | $54,659 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Colorado Colorado Springs's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in CO.
Best Programs at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The highest-earning program at University of Colorado Colorado Springs is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Visual and Performing Arts, General at $17,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earns $68,500, while a Visual and Performing Arts, General graduate earns $17,800. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $24,414 in median debt vs. $29,150 for Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,788/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,500 | $68,500 | $24,414 |
| Computer Science | $64,300 | $64,300 | $22,350 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,300 | $57,300 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $52,400 | $52,400 | $23,559 |
| Economics | $39,900 | $39,900 | $21,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,800 | $37,800 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,500 | $37,500 | $15,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,600 | $31,600 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $24,122 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,000 | $30,000 | $20,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $30,000 | $30,000 | $22,625 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $21,300 |
| Sociology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $23,638 |
| History | $28,000 | $28,000 | $21,822 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $22,910 |
| Psychology, General | $24,800 | $24,800 | $21,500 |
| Anthropology | $20,300 | $20,300 | $30,295 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $17,800 | $17,800 | $29,150 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Student Body
- 8,697 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,788
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,659
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000