At $25,458/yr net price, Colorado Christian University graduates earn $50,416/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,416/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,458 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $101,832 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,416/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,416/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $28,312 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,073/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,581/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,574/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,679/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,328/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $66,541 | $31,387 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $37,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $33,563 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,673 | $34,939 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $38,705 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $23,483 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $40,945 | $50,979 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $40,461 | $29,153 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Bachelor | $36,141 | $43,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $25,750 |
The Risk Factor
55.3% of students at Colorado Christian University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Colorado Christian University sits in a middle zone financially: median earnings ten years out land close to what your typical debt load costs, so the return is neither a clear win nor a disaster. The 55% graduation rate is the first thing to weigh, because the numbers below only pay off if you actually finish.
Nursing is the standout at CCU, and it works even though it carries the highest debt of any program listed. The extra earnings over a business or accounting degree cover that gap within a few years, and the Denver-Lakewood metro has steady hospital demand. Human resources management is the second-best bet. The weaker end is health and medical administrative services, which pairs the highest debt with earnings below business administration. Business administration itself is worth noting for the opposite reason: it carries the lowest debt of the group while earning nearly as much as accounting, making it the safest cost-to-payoff ratio here.
The specific risk at CCU is choosing a high-debt, lower-earning program. Health administration graduates leave owing more than nursing graduates while earning over $20,000 less per year. Accounting also carries heavy debt relative to its payoff.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay several thousand less per year than families above $110,000, whose price climbs past $29,000. The middle brackets pay close to the top rate, so if you land in the $75,000-$110,000 range you get little of the price break lower-income families see.
CCU fits you if you are entering nursing or a lower-debt business track and you value a Christian institution. If you are drawn to health administration or plan to borrow heavily for a lower-paying major, price out cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Christian University worth the cost?
Colorado Christian University's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $50,416 ten years after enrollment while paying $25,458 annually. The 55% graduation rate and $28,312 median debt create financial risk for many students.
What are the best paying majors at Colorado Christian University?
Business Administration leads at $66,541 annually, followed by Nursing at $63,005. These programs offer the strongest return on investment, while other majors like Health Administration average just $41,937.
How much debt do Colorado Christian University graduates have?
The median debt is $28,312, which is manageable for top-earning programs but creates strain for lower-paying majors. With nearly half of students not graduating, debt without a degree is a significant risk.
Does Colorado Christian University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $25,458 suggests moderate financial aid, but this still requires substantial borrowing for most families. The high non-completion rate means many students pay without earning a degree.