University of Colorado Boulder Acceptance Rate & Tuition
University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado, enrolling about 31,939 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 78.08% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $69,738 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,666
- 2024 Average Net Price: $25,346 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 78.08% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 31,939 90.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 74.19%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 20.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 25.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 2.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1357
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 36,209
- Applicants (IPEDS): 56,069
- Room & Board: $18,468 annual estimate
University of Colorado Boulder: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Colorado Boulder, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Colorado Boulder?
University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (ZIP 80309-0017).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is University of Colorado Boulder public or private?
University of Colorado Boulder is a Public institution.
How much does University of Colorado Boulder cost?
Published tuition: $15,666 in-state, $44,918 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $25,346.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,231 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,381 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,828 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $26,915 |
| $110,001+ | $34,818 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $62,664.
How hard is it to get into University of Colorado Boulder?
Admission rate: 78.08%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1357 and midpoint ACT 28.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Colorado Boulder?
Total enrollment: 31,939 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 36,209 students.
Graduate enrollment: 6,555 students.
About 90% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Colorado Boulder?
150%-time completion rate: 74.19%.
First-year retention: 90.1%.
What do graduates of University of Colorado Boulder earn?
Median earnings: $54,939 six years after entry; $69,738 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
14.49% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Colorado Boulder known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (1,290 completions)
- Psychology, General (680 completions)
- Computer Science (601 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (405 completions)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General (382 completions)
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (379 completions)
- Physiology, General (357 completions)
- Environmental Studies (292 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (241 completions)
- Economics, General (215 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Colorado Boulder a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 78.08%; completion rate 74.19%; median earnings $69,738 at 10 years; net price $25,346. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$15,666
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Colorado Boulder was $15,666.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$25,346
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Colorado Boulder had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $25,346.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$101,384 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$25,346 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$62,664 4-Year In-State Tuition
$179,672 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$18,468 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$35,334 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$141,336 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Colorado Boulder.
Financial Aid by Income Level
14.49% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
24.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Colorado Boulder was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Colorado Boulder in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $10,347 | $32,115 | $21,849 |
| 2014 | $10,789 | $33,151 | $21,792 |
| 2015 | $11,091 | $34,125 | $21,806 |
| 2016 | $11,531 | $35,079 | $23,127 |
| 2017 | $12,086 | $36,220 | $20,706 |
| 2018 | $12,532 | $37,286 | $21,510 |
| 2019 | $12,500 | $38,318 | $21,680 |
| 2020 | $12,466 | $38,284 | $20,967 |
| 2021 | $12,496 | $38,314 | $21,771 |
| 2022 | $13,106 | $40,356 | $20,971 |
| 2023 | $16,430 | $41,943 | $21,480 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
78.08% Acceptance Rate
56,069 Total Applicants
46,692 Students Admitted
7,546 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.16% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1357
ACT Average: 28
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Colorado Boulder reported total enrollment of about 31,939 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 53% male and 47% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (67.3%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%), and Two or More Races (7.0%). About 14.49% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 20.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
90.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024 is 31,939 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 36,209 students. Graduate enrollment is about 6,555 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
90.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 67.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
57.44% 100% Completion Time
74.19% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 57.44% of students graduating from University of Colorado Boulder completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Psychology, General: 26% male / 74% female
- Computer Science: 79% male / 21% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Colorado Boulder.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$69,738 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
27.96% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
587.86% Return on Investment
2.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Colorado Boulder.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 109 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 1,290 completions
2. Psychology, General: 680 completions
3. Computer Science: 601 completions
4. Mechanical Engineering: 405 completions
5. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General: 382 completions
6. Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication: 379 completions
7. Physiology, General: 357 completions
8. Environmental Studies: 292 completions
9. Political Science and Government, General: 241 completions
Most popular programs at University of Colorado Boulder.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Colorado Boulder graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Colorado Boulder from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,324
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $18,515
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, CO, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Computer Science. Enrollment is approximately 31,939 students. Student body composition includes White (67.3%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%), Two or More Races (7.0%). The admission rate is 78.08%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1357. The 150%-time completion rate is 74.19%. Approximately 14.49% of students receive Pell Grants. About 20.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Boulder, CO 80309-0017
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 109 distinct degree programs, University of Colorado Boulder provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is CU Boulder located?
University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO. The institution is also known as CU Boulder.
What is CU Boulder's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is 78.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 56,069 applicants and 46,692 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does CU Boulder cost?
Reported tuition is $15,666 and average net price is $25,346 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,468 annually.
What is the student body demographics at CU Boulder?
University of Colorado Boulder reports undergraduate enrollment of about 36,209 students, White (67.3%), Hispanic or Latino (13.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend CU Boulder?
About 20.4% of students at University of Colorado Boulder are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Colorado Boulder?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Colorado Boulder reports midpoint SAT about 1357 and midpoint ACT about 28.
What do graduates of University of Colorado Boulder earn?
Median earnings are $54,939 six years after entry and $69,738 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Colorado Boulder?
The 150%-time completion rate is 74.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Colorado Boulder students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is University of Colorado Boulder public or private?
University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, CO.
Is University of Colorado Boulder an HBCU?
No. University of Colorado Boulder is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Colorado Boulder a tribal college?
No. University of Colorado Boulder is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college profile
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Boulder, Colorado city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Boulder, Colorado city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.