CSU Global ranks second in Colorado for bachelor’s degrees’ return on investment

Earning your bachelor’s degree pays off. At CSU Global, it pays off even more.

A study by Georgetown University ranks Colorado State University Global second among public universities in Colorado for return on investment (ROI). The only public institution ranking higher is the Colorado School of Mines, a specialized university focused on engineering and applied sciences.

Based on 2021-22 data from Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce, the most recent year for which data is available, CSU Global’s 10-year ROI for a bachelor’s degree is $298,000. That number rises to $700,000 by year 15, $1.1 million by year 20, and nearly $2 million by year 30.

At the 40-year mark, graduates of four-year public institutions see average returns of about $1.03 million over their lifetimes. In comparison, CSU Global graduates see a return of $2,713,000—more than two and a half times higher.

“When I see the strong ROI our programs offer to learners, I am proud and excited, but not surprised,” said Jerid Counterman, Assistant VP of Student Achievement and Services at CSU Global. “CSU Global takes a very intentional approach when considering what programs to offer, how we create our courses, and the support we offer our students. With our focus on career-connected learning, we help students apply what they learn in the classroom into their professional lives.”

CSU Global Graduates See Real-World Results

CSU Global’s own research indicates that undergraduate alumni report up to a 58% increase in median income after finishing their degree.

CSU Global’s ROI is especially noteworthy because it’s fully online, challenging the perception that online universities don’t offer the same value as traditional, on-campus programs. CSU Global’s online format is designed so students can continue working and living in their communities, helping them avoid additional costs such as commuting or relocation, while still seeing strong long-term results.

“Being fully virtual, CSU Global can help our students keep the costs of their education down,” Counterman said. “By not having to worry about learning or changing their job, gas, parking, childcare, and other expenses that may come with commuting to in-person classes, our students can anticipate program costs, since they are only covering tuition and course materials. By keeping other costs down and not charging student fees, the increased earnings our students see on the back end stretch further.”

Counterman said that CSU Global’s strong return on investment is closely tied to the mindset of its students. Many have attempted college multiple times—some as many as seven or eight—before choosing to finish their degrees at CSU Global. On average, students transfer more than 50 credits from community colleges, other universities, or alternative credit programs.

“When they make the decision to try ‘one more time,’ they’ve recognized the value in continuing and completing their education, so they put a lot of thought behind what program to enroll in,” he said.

CSU Global offers 8-week classes with monthly start dates and a robust student success program in which each student partners with a success counselor to help navigate their educational journey. Students move at a pace that fits their lives, making it easier to stay on track and succeed.

 “We aim to be flexible around the needs of our learners, not the other way around,” Counterman said. “This helps to support their success in and out of the classroom, which continues to add value to the credentials they earn from us.”

Visit cew.georgetown.edu/ROI2022 to view a sortable table of 4,500 colleges and universities ranked by ROI metric, including tuition, median student debt and earnings, and the share of students with earnings greater than high school graduates.