Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees in Colorado by ROI
Colleges in Colorado ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Colorado
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$283,734
Across Colorado programs
Average Annual Cost
$18,371
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arapahoe Community College
Grad rate: 26.7% |
-$141,494 | $37,581 | $16,348 | $15,125 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Grad rate: 29.0% |
-$151,692 | $37,326 | $21,006 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Community College of Aurora
Grad rate: 26.5% |
-$203,677 | $34,264 | $16,210 | $12,250 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Red Rocks Community College
Grad rate: 38.0% |
-$214,158 | $33,901 | $18,048 | $11,913 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Aims Community College
Grad rate: 35.1% |
-$232,451 | $32,443 | $14,478 | $9,152 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Northeastern Junior College
Grad rate: 52.2% |
-$238,182 | $32,858 | $20,246 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Front Range Community College
Grad rate: 28.6% |
-$260,446 | $31,782 | $18,087 | $14,750 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Community College of Denver
Grad rate: 16.8% |
-$263,234 | $31,651 | $18,377 | $14,445 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Colorado Mountain College
Grad rate: 26.5% |
-$275,514 | $30,105 | $13,717 | $7,541 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Morgan Community College
Grad rate: 40.8% |
-$282,491 | $29,877 | $15,797 | $6,250 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Pikes Peak State College
Grad rate: 23.0% |
-$291,840 | $29,985 | $18,345 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Colorado Mesa University
Grad rate: 40.3% |
-$350,736 | $28,169 | $22,883 | $21,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Lamar Community College
Grad rate: 42.9% |
-$353,347 | $26,897 | $19,366 | $9,300 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Pueblo Community College
Grad rate: 31.7% |
-$357,420 | $27,064 | $19,251 | $14,962 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Trinidad State College
Grad rate: 53.3% |
-$438,459 | $22,889 | $21,373 | $9,995 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees by State
Browse Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.