Best Communication and Media Studies 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
12
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$180,192
Across Colorado programs
Average Annual Cost
$33,994
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Colorado Boulder
Grad rate: 74.9% |
+$24,571 | $51,103 | $33,466 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 | Colorado State University Global | -$10,769 | $47,299 | $18,384 | $32,010 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Regis University
Grad rate: 63.8% |
-$114,936 | $47,231 | $54,889 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Grad rate: 45.6% |
-$144,206 | $41,286 | $23,369 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Northern Colorado
Grad rate: 51.6% |
-$151,083 | $41,527 | $26,989 | $24,939 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Grad rate: 43.9% |
-$151,977 | $40,460 | $23,713 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
University of Denver
Grad rate: 77.7% |
-$180,855 | $49,615 | $75,020 | $24,500 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Grad rate: 66.8% |
-$198,957 | $39,655 | $29,696 | $24,647 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Western Colorado University
Grad rate: 48.8% |
-$221,809 | $37,581 | $25,426 | $23,500 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Colorado Mesa University
Grad rate: 40.3% |
-$235,990 | $36,332 | $22,883 | $23,036 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Colorado State University Pueblo
Grad rate: 36.4% |
-$373,356 | $29,651 | $23,891 | $22,824 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Colorado Christian University
Grad rate: 58.1% |
-$402,944 | $33,649 | $50,206 | $26,000 | 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 Communication and Media Studies Degrees by State
Browse Communication and Media Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.