Colorado College's published cost of attendance is $86,921. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $9,217, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $15,477, middle-income families pay about $12,568, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,129, and higher-income families pay around $44,141.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $86,921 |
| Tuition and Fees | $70,734 |
| Room and Board | $16,020 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$53,546 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $33,375 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,217 |
| $30–48k | $15,477 |
| $48–75k | $12,568 |
| $75–110k | $24,129 |
| $110k+ | $44,141 |
Colorado College's published cost of attendance is $86,921. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $9,217, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $15,477, middle-income families pay about $12,568, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,129, and higher-income families pay around $44,141. Azimuth ranks Colorado College #1152 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Colorado College's aid structure is need-based, with institutional aid designed to meet demonstrated financial need. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile to determine eligibility and aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,257, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,663; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,959, median federal debt of $18,257 projects to a monthly payment of about $206 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Colorado College earn median 4-year earnings of $56,959, placing Colorado College in the 31.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Colorado College #636 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings trajectory reflects strong outcomes across the institution's social-sciences-anchored curriculum, where graduates move into stable professional and analytical roles that support sustained income growth through the early and mid-career years. The program mix centers on Social Sciences, which represents a significant share of degrees and drives much of the institution's earnings profile. Economics is the largest program with 60 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $122,998, performing at 1.5× the national benchmark for the field. Political Science and Natural Resources Conservation and Research also enroll substantial cohorts and contribute to the institution's consistent earnings outcomes. Interdisciplinary Studies and Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology round out the top programs, each supporting graduates into professional pathways aligned with the broader social-sciences signature. This concentrated program portfolio, combined with Colorado College's liberal arts foundation and emphasis on analytical thinking, translates into earnings that reflect both the quality of preparation and the labor-market demand for graduates in these fields.
