Students at Pikes Peak State College benefit from exceptionally affordable education, with low-income students paying just $7,824 annually and all graduates maintaining perfect loan repayment records.
The college provides crucial access for first-generation and working students who need flexible, cost-effective pathways into higher education.
Pikes Peak State College serves as an accessible gateway to higher education in Colorado Springs, focusing on affordability and broad access rather than premium outcomes. With net prices well below national averages—particularly the $7,824 annual cost for low-income students—the college prioritizes making education financially feasible for working families and non-traditional students. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants, and 43% are first-generation college students, reflecting the institution's role in serving students who might not otherwise pursue higher education.
The college's outcomes are more modest, with graduates earning a median of $40,796 ten years after enrollment, placing it in the lower quartile nationally for earnings. However, this reflects the institution's mission as a community college focused on accessibility, transfer preparation, and workforce development rather than high-earning career tracks. The 23% six-year completion rate indicates that many students use Pikes Peak as a stepping stone, either transferring to four-year institutions or entering the workforce with specific skills.
For students who complete programs here, the financial model works: federal loan debt averages just $9,000, and the college maintains a 0% default rate, suggesting that graduates can manage their modest debt loads. As a medium-sized public institution in Colorado, Pikes Peak State College fills an important niche for students who need affordable, flexible education options in the Colorado Springs area.
Pikes Peak State College focuses on providing foundational education and workforce preparation rather than specialized high-earning programs. As a community college, the institution emphasizes general education courses that prepare students for transfer to four-year universities, along with career-focused certificates and associate degrees that align with local employment opportunities in the Colorado Springs area.
The college's program portfolio reflects its mission of broad accessibility and practical skill development. Students can pursue traditional academic pathways that facilitate transfer to Colorado's four-year institutions, or they can complete career-oriented programs designed to provide direct entry into the local workforce. While specific program-level earnings data isn't available, the institution's overall approach emphasizes affordability and flexibility over premium outcomes.
What distinguishes Pikes Peak's academic approach is its focus on serving non-traditional students and those who need flexible scheduling options. The college provides essential educational infrastructure for the Colorado Springs community, offering students a low-cost way to begin their higher education journey or develop specific workforce skills without the financial commitment required by four-year institutions.
Graduates of Pikes Peak State College see modest but achievable financial outcomes that reflect the institution's role as an accessible entry point into higher education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $40,796, which places the college in the lower quartile nationally for earnings outcomes. While these figures are below what four-year universities typically produce, they represent meaningful economic progress for many students who might not have pursued higher education otherwise.
The college's earnings outcomes vary significantly by program completion and career path. Many students use Pikes Peak as a transfer platform, moving on to four-year institutions where their ultimate earnings potential may be higher than these institutional averages suggest. For students who complete career-focused programs and enter the workforce directly, earnings tend to align with local wage levels in Colorado Springs, where cost of living is moderate compared to Denver or other major metropolitan areas.
What makes Pikes Peak's return story compelling is the relationship between modest debt and achievable earnings. With typical federal loan debt of just $9,000 and a 0% default rate, graduates can manage their financial obligations comfortably even at these earnings levels. The college's loan repayment patterns show steady progress, with borrowers consistently meeting or exceeding national benchmarks for balance reduction in the early years after graduation.
Pikes Peak State College excels in affordability, making higher education accessible to students across income levels. Low-income students pay just $7,824 annually, well below what most institutions charge, while middle-income families see costs around $10,947 per year. Even high-income students pay $18,345, which remains reasonable for a public institution. These low net prices reflect substantial state and federal aid that helps keep education within reach for working families in the Colorado Springs area.
The college's debt structure supports its affordability mission. Students who borrow typically take on just $9,000 in federal loans, a modest amount that reflects both the low cost of attendance and the institution's emphasis on keeping debt manageable. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,134, indicating that families contribute directly but at levels that don't create overwhelming financial strain. The combination of low sticker prices, substantial aid, and conservative borrowing patterns creates a sustainable financial model for most students.
What makes Pikes Peak particularly affordable is how well the costs align with student goals and outcomes. For students planning to transfer, the low cost provides an economical way to complete general education requirements. For those entering the workforce directly, the minimal debt load ensures that even modest post-graduation earnings can comfortably cover loan payments while students establish their careers.
Pikes Peak State College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
