University of Colorado Boulder

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, CO, offering 109 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 31,578 students, University of Colorado Boulder serves a substantial student population.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,430
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $21,480 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 83.28% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 31,578 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 75.03%
  • Average SAT Score: 1353

Costs

Tuition Costs

$16,430
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Colorado Boulder was $16,430.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$21,480
2024 Value

In 2024 University of Colorado Boulder had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,480.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$85,920 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$21,480 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$65,720 4-Year In-State Tuition

$167,772 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for University of Colorado Boulder.

Financial Aid by Income Level

14.77% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

24.36% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Colorado Boulder was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

83.28% Acceptance Rate

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 1353

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

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024 is 31,578 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
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.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

57.93% 100% Completion Time

75.03% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 57.93% of students graduating from University of Colorado Boulder completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

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

711.66% Return on Investment

2.8 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for University of Colorado Boulder.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

CIP 52.0201: 1,290 completions

General Psychology: 680 completions

Computer Science: 601 completions

Mechanical Engineering: 405 completions

CIP 14.0201: 382 completions

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication: 379 completions

CIP 26.0901: 357 completions

CIP 03.0103: 292 completions

Social Sciences: 241 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 9,837 completions

Most popular programs at University of Colorado Boulder.

Employment Outcomes

$54,939 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$64,625 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$69,738 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for University of Colorado Boulder graduates.

About

University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, CO, offering 109 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 31,578 students. The admission rate is 83.28%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1353. The institution maintains a 75.03% graduation rate. Approximately 14.77% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

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.

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

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.