Compare 11 Political Economy. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $46,652.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Political Economy tells a different story. Across 11 programs in Colorado, earnings range from $30,272 to $60,121—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Colorado Boulder's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $60,121, nearly double the field's minimum of $30,272. At $46,652 average across all programs, the data shows a $30K earnings spread that underscores why program evaluation matters more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Colorado Boulder graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 7.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, UC Denver leads with a 17.1% burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $60,121
Strong outcomes with 83% acceptance rate
7.1% payment burden | Excellent
17.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,121 | 219 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | High | |
| #2 | $58,929 | 50 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,716 | Manageable | |
| #3 | University Of DenverPrivate | $57,491 | 38 | $21,844 | Good | $27,813 | Challenging |
| #4 | $52,001 | 121 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #5 | $51,184 | 52 | $20,000 | Good | $21,710 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $45,892 | 6 | $21,500 | Manageable | $14,786 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $45,185 | 21 | $20,470 | Manageable | $22,566 | High | |
| #8 | $44,120 | 50 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Colorado CollegePrivate | $37,568 | 38 | $18,257 | Manageable | $35,663 | High |
| #10 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | $30,409 | 14 | $18,389 | High | $21,062 | High |
| #11 | $30,272 | 23 | $20,250 | High | $28,288 | 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 →
