University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Worth It?
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $11,900/year, it's priced 42% below average, while graduates go on to earn $64,270 — 19% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% 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.
How University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 55 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #4 | Northern Kentucky University | 77 | $8,191 | $50,220 |
| #5 | Southern Utah University | 72 | $10,462 | $50,296 |
| #6 | Indiana University-Indianapolis | 64 | $11,668 | $55,198 |
| #7 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 63 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in CO.
Best Programs at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
The highest-earning program at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $25,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earns $68,500, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $25,000. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,900/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 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,100 | $63,100 | $27,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,500 | $60,500 | $26,027 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,500 | $57,500 | $22,395 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,100 | $55,100 | $23,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,500 | $44,500 | $20,625 |
| Mathematics | $41,300 | $41,300 | $11,298 |
| Economics | $40,000 | $40,000 | $24,059 |
| Architecture | $36,600 | $36,600 | $17,899 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,800 | $35,800 | $19,499 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,200 | $35,200 | $18,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $35,100 | $35,100 | $25,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,500 | $32,500 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $31,900 | $31,900 | $20,190 |
| Biology, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $20,855 |
| Anthropology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $26,587 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,600 | $30,600 | $21,988 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $29,800 | $29,800 | $19,891 |
| Sociology | $29,800 | $29,800 | $21,500 |
| International/Global Studies | $29,200 | $29,200 | $19,198 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $28,900 | $28,900 | N/A |
| Public Health | $28,800 | $28,800 | $18,439 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,400 | $28,400 | $24,918 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,067 |
| History | $27,700 | $27,700 | $21,000 |
| Music | $25,100 | $25,100 | $25,179 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,000 | $25,000 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Denver, CO
- Student Body
- 10,519 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,900
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,270
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500