At $19,133/yr net price, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates earn $64,270/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,270/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,133 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,270/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,270/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,135/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,083/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,871/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,700/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,355/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Doctoral | $234,763 | $226,707 |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies. | Master | $122,038 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $118,790 | $167,617 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $115,339 | $65,649 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $113,531 | $242,379 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Doctoral | $90,501 | $95,980 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $89,184 | $56,311 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,879 | $42,744 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $83,546 | $23,376 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $79,284 |
The Risk Factor
47.4% of students at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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
The financial math at CU Denver works out reasonably well. You carry a median debt of $20,500 against median earnings of $64,270 ten years out, meaning your debt stays below one year of income. That ratio protects you from the worst-case outcomes even if you don't land the highest-paying degree.
Your major decides a lot here. The engineering and computing programs pay best, with electrical engineering graduates hitting nearly $70,000. But that field also loads you with the most debt at roughly $29,000, and civil engineering pairs the lowest engineering pay with the highest borrowing. Computer science gives you the cleanest deal: high pay and debt that matches the school median. Nursing lands lower on earnings but keeps your borrowing modest, so the payoff is steady.
The real risk at CU Denver is finishing at all. Fewer than half of students graduate, and only about 71 percent return after their first year. Debt with no degree is the outcome that sinks people, and here the odds of not finishing are close to a coin flip. If you're not confident you'll stick it out, that changes the calculation more than any tuition figure.
The net price barely moves across income brackets. Families earning under $30,000 pay about $16,000, while those over $110,000 pay around $23,000 , a gap of only $7,000. Lower-income families don't get the steep discount you'd see at schools with deeper aid, so the sticker shock is real if you're on the low end.
This school fits you if you're aiming at engineering, computing, or nursing and you're committed to finishing. If you're undecided about your major or unsure you'll graduate, the weak completion rate makes this a gamble worth thinking twice about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus worth the cost?
The value depends heavily on your program choice. Medical and dental programs show strong earnings potential, while the overall 10-year median earnings of $64,270 are modest for a $19,133 annual cost.
What programs at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus have the best ROI?
Graduate dentistry leads with median earnings of $234,763, followed by medical clinical sciences at $122,038. Nursing and pharmacy programs also show solid returns above $115,000.
How much debt do University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates typically have?
The median debt is $20,500, which is relatively manageable compared to many universities. However, with a 47% graduation rate, nearly half of students don't complete their degrees.
Does University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus provide good financial aid?
The net price of $19,133 suggests decent financial aid for in-state students. Out-of-state students should carefully calculate costs since health science programs require significant time investment.