Colorado Concurrent Enrollment Return on Investment and Cost Model

Prepared for the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education in 2020

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the costs and long-term return on investment (ROI) of Colorado’s statewide Concurrent Enrollment (CE) programs, established under House Bill 09-1319 and the CE Programs Act (C.R.S. §22-35-101 et seq.). Conducted as part of a U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IES) research partnership (Grant R305H170049), the study offers a detailed economic model of CE funding flows and projected financial returns.

Key findings include:

• Estimated Costs (2016–17):

• $32 million incurred by school districts

• $8 million incurred by institutions of higher education (IHEs)

• IHEs received approximately $54 million in revenue earmarked for CE, including Colorado Opportunity Fund payments, tuition, and district payments for instructional services

• Estimated Returns:

  • A sample of 16,965 CE students is projected to yield 4,094 additional postsecondary completers

  • These completers generate an estimated lifetime income increase of $2.89 billion

  • Resulting in $274 million in state tax revenue and program savings, and $472 million in federal returns

  • Lifetime ROI for Colorado exceeds 600%, underscoring CE as a high-value public investment

This study builds on prior impact research and uses rigorous cost modeling to inform policy and investment decisions around college access and success.