At $31,678/yr net price, Colorado College graduates earn $65,222/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,222/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,678 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $126,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,222/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,222/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 86.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,257 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,732/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,987/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,051/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,254/yr |
| $110,001+ | $51,525/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $18,628 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $21,508 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $20,482 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $20,000 |
The Risk Factor
86.0% of students at Colorado College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Colorado College gives you a strong overall payoff wrapped around weak individual program numbers. The school-wide median earnings of $65,222 sit well above the median debt of $18,257, and an 86% graduation rate plus a 94.76% retention rate mean you are very likely to finish and leave without a loan burden that traps you. That combination is the real financial strength here.
The program-level earnings tell a rougher story. Economics leads at $46,087, and it carries the heaviest debt on the list at $18,628, so the extra pay comes with the extra borrowing. Political science trails at $37,568. Below that, the numbers fall off a cliff: sociology, geosciences, and English all land in the low-to-mid $20,000s early on. If you major in English or sociology here, your first-decade earnings look closer to a high school graduate's than to that $65,222 school median. The gap between the school median and these majors suggests the strong overall outcome is driven by graduates outside this list, or by later-career growth these early figures miss.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. Under $30k, you pay $9,732. between $48k and $75k, $17,051. Cross $110k and the price jumps to $51,525, more than five times the lowest tier. If your family earns above $110k, you are paying near-full freight for a liberal arts degree whose named programs pay modestly.
This school fits you if you qualify for the lower income tiers and pursue economics or something quantitative. If you plan to study English, sociology, or earth sciences and your family sits in the top income tier, the math is hard to justify at $51,525 a year against $20,000-range starting pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado College worth the cost for the return on investment?
Colorado College graduates earn a median of $65,222 ten years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional given the $31,678 annual net price. The relatively low median debt of $18,257 helps make the investment more manageable than at many private colleges.
Which majors at Colorado College have the best job prospects and earnings?
Economics majors at Colorado College earn the highest starting salaries at $46,087, followed by Political Science at $37,568. Liberal arts majors like English ($20,482) and Sociology ($25,194) show significantly lower earnings, making career planning important for these fields.
How much debt do Colorado College students typically graduate with?
Colorado College students graduate with a median debt of $18,257, which is lower than the national average for private colleges. The school's financial aid helps keep debt manageable, though families should still expect significant out-of-pocket costs given the total cost of attendance.
Does Colorado College provide good financial aid to make tuition affordable?
Colorado College reduces the sticker price to an average net cost of $31,678 per year through financial aid. While this represents substantial assistance, middle and upper-middle-class families often find limited aid available and may face the full cost burden.