Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Colorado School of Trades worth it?
Pay $26,083/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $51,591 ten years out — about 2.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Colorado School of Trades vs Colorado avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Colorado college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Colorado School of Trades | Colorado avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $26,083 | $20,538 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $51,591 | $53,208 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $20,000 | $19,940 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 80.9% | 49.5% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 90.9% | 84% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $20,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 39% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Colorado School of Trades grad earns about $263,640 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Colorado School of Trades
The average student at Colorado School of Trades pays $26,083 a year after grants and scholarships. That is above the CO average net price of $20,538.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $51,591 — below the CO median of $53,208. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $20,000, roughly $217 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 39% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Colorado colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Colorado School of Trades.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Colorado School of Trades?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $26,083 per year. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $104,332.
How much do Colorado School of Trades graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Colorado School of Trades graduates earn a median of $51,591 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.0× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Colorado School of Trades graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $20,000 — about $217/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 31.9% of students take federal loans.
Is Colorado School of Trades worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Colorado School of Trades a value grade of D — top 81% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $26,083/yr, earn $51,591/yr ten years out, ROI score of 4.94. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Colorado School of Trades?
27.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 31.9% take federal student loans.
How does net price change with family income at Colorado School of Trades?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $26,083. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →