Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Community College of Aurora
Compare average net price ($21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; $8,656 at Community College of Aurora), ROI score (7.11 vs 12.88), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($60,543 vs $44,592), and admissions context (88.5% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; Open / not reported at Community College of Aurora) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Community College of Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 | 12.88 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,279 | $8,656 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $85,116 | $34,624 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,373 | $4,470 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,783 | $17,070 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $60,543 ✓ | $44,592 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 66.5% ✓ | 33.5% |
| Retention rate | 85.9% ✓ | 60.9% |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $10,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 25,538 | 3,250 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Community College of Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,259 | $6,305 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,460 | $6,611 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,905 | $9,726 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,927 | $12,409 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $29,763 | $16,700 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Community College of Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.7% | 47.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.5% | 9.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.1% | 7.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.4% | 5.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.4% | 1% |
| Music | 0.9% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Aurora reports the lower average net price by $12,623 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $50,492 difference over four years ($34,624 vs $85,116).
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports $15,951 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,543 vs $44,592). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.9% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 60.9% at Community College of Aurora. Median federal debt among completers is $20,000 vs $10,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Community College of Aurora, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Aurora is cheaper — average net price $8,656 per year vs $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The annual difference of $12,623 adds up to about $50,492 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,543 vs $44,592 at Community College of Aurora. The gap in the federal data is $15,951. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.