Compare 6 General Studies. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $37,525.
With top graduates earning $44,239, General Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $6K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins leads with General Studies graduates earning $44,239, well above the $37,525 average across Colorado programs. Regis University follows at $42,423, while Colorado Mesa University reaches $40,844—demonstrating that program outcomes vary significantly even within the state.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Colorado State graduates borrow $20,000 and face a 12.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. When parent loans are included, Regis University leads with a 31.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $44,239
Strong outcomes with 89.6% acceptance
12.7% payment burden | Manageable
31.3% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $44,239 | 76 | $20,000 | Manageable | $36,000 | High | |
| #2 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $42,423 | 16 | $25,000 | Manageable | $17,700 | High |
| #3 | Colorado Mesa UniversityPublic | $40,844 | 42 | $22,000 | Manageable | $18,879 | High |
| #4 | Adams State UniversityPublic | $39,802 | 55 | $19,500 | Manageable | $18,058 | High |
| #5 | $39,070 | 28 | $21,500 | Manageable | $14,786 | High | |
| #6 | $18,771 | 26 | $19,500 | High | $46,340 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
