Computer Science at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

Colorado Technical University's computer science graduates earn notably less than their state peers—roughly $10,000 below Colorado's median and trailing all major state competitors. At $67,531 initially, earnings sit in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten CS programs in Colorado deliver better outcomes. More troubling: earnings actually decline to $65,099 by year four, suggesting limited career progression compared to the typical upward trajectory CS graduates experience.

The debt load compounds these concerns. At $44,014, graduates carry nearly double the state median of $23,000 and almost twice the national average. With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, this debt burden falls disproportionately on students who can least afford extended repayment timelines. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 isn't catastrophic, but it's steep when you're earning $10,000 less than graduates from Metropolitan State or UC Colorado Springs.

The small sample size means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, so they're not definitive. But the pattern is clear: for similar tuition costs, Colorado offers multiple public universities where CS graduates start higher and grow faster. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances making this program uniquely accessible, families should seriously compare these outcomes against alternatives like Metropolitan State or UCCS before committing to CTU's program.