At $16,431/yr net price, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates earn $54,659/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,659/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,431 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $65,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,659/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,659/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,562/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,986/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,717/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,289/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,830/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. | Master | $92,358 | $54,400 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $71,015 | $36,448 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $24,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,240 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,441 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $56,544 | $22,000 |
| Sociology. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $45,048 | $29,208 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $44,170 | $47,944 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $42,682 | $32,258 |
The Risk Factor
45.3% of students at University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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
UCCS gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major, but the payoff splits sharply by field. With a net price around $16,000 a year and median debt of $20,000, you're borrowing a manageable amount against median earnings that clear $54,000 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings math works in your favor, and Colorado Springs backs it up: the city's defense, aerospace, and tech employers hire directly into the fields UCCS trains you for.
Engineering and computer science are where the money is. Electrical engineering and computer science graduates both clear $67,000, and those salaries justify the higher debt loads those programs carry ($24,500 and $25,000). Nursing pays nearly $60,000 on the lowest debt of any top program here, which is the cleanest return on the list. Business administration is the weak spot. At around $40,500, business graduates earn less than every other listed program while carrying the same $20,000 in debt, so that degree pays off slowly.
The real risk at UCCS is finishing. A 45% graduation rate and 67% retention mean roughly a third of students leave after year one, and many never graduate. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those odds are not on your side here. Go in with a clear major and a plan to finish in four years.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $12,000 a year, which makes an engineering or nursing degree a strong bet. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $22,000, and business majors at that price should think hard about the return. UCCS fits you if you're targeting engineering, computing, or nursing and can commit to graduating. Look elsewhere if you're undecided or drawn mainly to lower-paying majors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Colorado Colorado Springs worth the cost?
UCCS offers decent value with a net price of $16,431 and 10-year earnings of $54,659, though the 45% graduation rate is concerning. Nursing and engineering programs provide strong returns, but other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
What are the best paying majors at University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
Nursing leads with $92,358 average earnings, followed by business administration at $71,015 and electrical engineering at $69,338. Computer science graduates earn around $67,240, making these the most financially viable programs at UCCS.
How much debt do University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have?
UCCS graduates typically leave with $20,000 in median debt, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with only 45% of students graduating, many may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does University of Colorado Colorado Springs have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary significantly by program at UCCS. Nursing and engineering graduates typically find good employment, but the low 45% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs successfully.