At $6,342/yr net price, Colorado Mountain College graduates earn $44,127/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,127/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,342 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,368 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,127/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,127/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,280/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,767/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,316/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,633/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,738/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,673 | $9,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $52,607 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,456 | $13,881 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $34,298 | $5,500 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Sustainability Studies. | Bachelor | $27,295 | $10,188 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,739 | $7,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $22,917 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $16,169 |
The Risk Factor
25.9% of students at Colorado Mountain College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Colorado Mountain College keeps your costs low. A net price around $6,300 a year and median debt of $9,000 mean you can leave here without the loan burden that sinks graduates elsewhere. That low cost is the strongest part of this school's financial case.
The payoff on the earnings side is thinner. Median earnings of about $44,000 ten years out land in modest territory, and the two bachelor programs with reported data tell different stories. Business Administration pays roughly $40,000 against nearly $14,000 in debt, so you carry more loans than the campus average for a degree that earns close to it. Sustainability Studies is the weaker bet: about $27,000 in earnings against $10,000 in debt. That salary sits below what many jobs pay without a degree, and the debt makes it harder to justify.
The real risk here is finishing. Only about 26% of students graduate, and 44% don't return after their first year. Low debt only protects you if you leave with a credential. Start a program, drop out, and you get the loans without the earnings bump. That completion gap is the biggest threat to your return.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay under $3,300 a year. Above $75,000, your price jumps past $11,000 and the math tightens considerably.
This school fits you if you come from a lower-income household, want to keep debt near zero, and are committed to finishing. Business is the safer major of the two on offer. If you're aiming for a high salary, or you're a higher-income family paying the top net price, the returns here won't stretch far, and you should compare against schools with stronger earnings and graduation numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Mountain College worth the cost?
Colorado Mountain College offers decent value with low net costs at $6,342 per year and manageable debt averaging $9,000. However, the 25.90% graduation rate is concerning and typical earnings of $44,127 after 10 years are modest for most career goals.
What are the highest paying programs at Colorado Mountain College?
Nursing programs at Colorado Mountain College lead earnings at $58,673 annually, followed by Criminal Justice at $52,607. Most other programs result in lower earnings, with veterinary tech averaging just $30,409.
How much debt do Colorado Mountain College graduates have?
Colorado Mountain College graduates typically leave with $9,000 in debt, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. The low net price of $6,342 per year helps keep borrowing minimal for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado Mountain College?
Only 25.90% of students graduate from Colorado Mountain College, which is well below national averages. This low completion rate means many students leave without a degree while still carrying some debt.