Head-to-head · 2026
Adams State University vs Pikes Peak State College
Compare average net price ($12,980 at Adams State University; $6,007 at Pikes Peak State College), ROI score (8.55 vs 16.98), ten-year median earnings ($44,372 vs $40,796), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Adams State University; Open / not reported at Pikes Peak State College) using federal College Scorecard data. Pikes Peak State College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Pikes Peak State College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Adams State University | Pikes Peak State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 8.55 | 16.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,980 | $6,007 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $44,372 ✓ | $40,796 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 39.4% ✓ | 20.6% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,250 | 9,595 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Adams State University costs $6,973 more per year than Pikes Peak State College ($12,980 vs $6,007). Adams State University graduates report $3,576 higher median earnings after ten years ($44,372 vs $40,796). On EduGradify's model that puts Pikes Peak State College ahead on projected ROI (16.98 vs 8.55, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Pikes Peak State College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Adams State University vs Pikes Peak State College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Adams State University or Pikes Peak State College the better value?
Pikes Peak State College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (16.98 vs 8.55), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pikes Peak State College is cheaper — average net price $6,007 per year vs $12,980 at Adams State University. The annual difference of $6,973 adds up to about $27,892 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Adams State University reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $44,372 vs $40,796 at Pikes Peak State College. The annual gap in the federal data is $3,576.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Adams State University reports a B value grade; Pikes Peak State College reports A+.