Compare 8 Sports Studies. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $41,670.
The highest-earning Sports Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $13K earnings gap across 8 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $47,082. At the top, this program outperforms the state average of $41,670 by $5,400. Metropolitan State University Of Denver follows closely at $46,387, demonstrating that multiple Colorado programs deliver strong outcomes regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Colorado State graduates borrow $20,000 and face an 11.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families considering parent loans, Metropolitan State leads with a 21.5% family burden—still challenging but more manageable than other options.
Highest program earnings: $47,082
Strong outcomes with 90% acceptance
11.2% payment burden | Good
21.5% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $47,082 | 226 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #2 | $46,387 | 105 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $44,827 | 38 | $20,250 | Manageable | $28,288 | High | |
| #4 | $43,512 | 117 | $20,470 | Manageable | $22,566 | High | |
| #5 | Colorado Mesa UniversityPublic | $41,768 | 131 | $22,000 | Manageable | $18,879 | High |
| #6 | $40,768 | 40 | $21,500 | Manageable | $14,786 | High | |
| #7 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | $34,619 | 51 | $18,389 | Challenging | $21,062 | High |
| #8 | Adams State UniversityPublic | $34,394 | 50 | $19,500 | Challenging | $18,058 | 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 →
