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Colorado Technical University Review: Online Programs, Tuition & Outcomes

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

February 10, 2026

CTU has 25,932 students, mostly online. Tuition: $12,760/year. 6-year earnings: $30,406. Primarily serves working adults and military.

Overview

Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a primarily online, for-profit university based in Colorado Springs with 25,932 students. It serves working adults and military-connected students with flexible online programs in business, IT, healthcare, and criminal justice. CTU is part of Perdoceo Education Corporation.

Programs

Business Administration (BS, MBA)
Information Technology (BS, MS)
Healthcare Management (BS, MS)
Criminal Justice (BS)
Cybersecurity (BS, MS)
Nursing — MSN with graduates earning $137,341/year (the standout program)
Project Management (MS)

Cost & Outcomes

Tuition: $12,760/year
Enrollment: 25,932 students
6-year earnings: $30,406/year (overall, not nursing)

Pros

Flexible scheduling — fully online, designed for working adults
Military-friendly — strong military student support
Competency-based options — earn credit for what you already know
Nursing MSN outcomes — $137,341 median earnings is exceptional
Affordable for a private university — $12,760/year

Cons

For-profit — historically lower outcomes and higher default rates than public universities
Overall earnings of $30,406 — well below public university averages
Graduation rate is low — common for online for-profits serving working adults
Employer perception — some employers prefer traditional university degrees

Alternatives

Public online options like Western Governors University ($8,300/year), Arizona State Online ($12,051/year), or your state's public university online programs typically offer stronger brand recognition and better outcomes for similar prices.

Next Steps

Compare online programs on GradeToGrad
Denver community colleges for affordable in-person options