University of Colorado Boulder
Public four-year university in Boulder, CO that costs an average of $23,708 a year after financial aid, admits 78% of applicants and graduates 74% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$23,708
Acceptance rate
78%
Graduation rate
74%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$77,574
PublicMidsize city31,939 undergraduates
Cost of University of Colorado Boulder
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $37,189 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $17,513 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $47,142 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,838 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $23,708 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $13,403 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,558 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $16,684 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $21,719 |
| $110,001+ | $34,026 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with University of Colorado Boulder's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 78% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,357 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 630–710 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 610–720 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 29–33 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 74% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 90% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $62,700 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $77,574 |
| Rank in Colorado (earnings) | 5th of 22 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $18,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $210 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 17% |
| Students with federal loans | 26% |
Majors and programs at University of Colorado Boulder
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (69)
Certificate programs (46)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | $72,639 | $18,500 |
| Sociology | — | $41,329 | $15,774 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $36,603 | — |
| Psychology | — | $35,971 | $18,200 |
| Anthropology | — | — | — |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | — | — | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | — | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | — | — | — |
| Dance | — | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | — | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | — | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | — | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Health-Related Knowledge and Skills | — | — | — |
| History | — | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Journalism | — | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | — | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | — | — | $17,706 |
| Philosophy | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | — | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (73)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 162 | $143,666 | $39,500 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 294 | $103,638 | $30,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 528 | $99,875 | $52,317 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 212 | $97,859 | $37,968 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 432 | $95,945 | $37,669 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 14 | $91,173 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 195 | $87,820 | $36,403 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 62 | $81,438 | — |
| Civil Engineering | 79 | $79,539 | — |
| Taxation | 24 | $77,057 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 47 | $76,793 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 102 | $74,511 | $20,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 90 | $65,865 | $48,318 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 200 | $63,011 | $51,832 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | 60 | $59,123 | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 72 | $56,066 | — |
| Music | 68 | $31,319 | $29,326 |
| Anthropology | 11 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 66 | — | — |
| Architectural Engineering | 22 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 25 | — | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 27 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 3 | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 23 | — | — |
| Business/Corporate Communications | 2 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 41 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 10 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 18 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Computational Science | 312 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 15 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 353 | — | $20,500 |
| Dance | 10 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 10 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 10 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 8 | — | — |
| Economics | 19 | — | — |
| Education, Other | 10 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 18 | — | — |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 4 | — | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 74 | — | $41,000 |
| English Language and Literature | 21 | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 57 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 24 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 18 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | — | — |
| History | 6 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 21 | — | — |
| Journalism | 20 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 26 | — | — |
| Materials Engineering | 24 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 21 | — | — |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Museology/Museum Studies | 18 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 18 | — | — |
| Physics | 79 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 25 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 15 | — | — |
| Psychology | 22 | — | — |
| Real Estate | 32 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 8 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 11 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 15 | — | — |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 21 | — | — |
| Sociology | 8 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 23 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (57)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 77 | $130,362 | — |
| Music | 40 | $48,207 | — |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 61 | — | — |
| Anthropology | 6 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 18 | — | — |
| Architectural Engineering | 5 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 22 | — | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 12 | — | — |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | 3 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 19 | — | — |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | 3 | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 23 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 39 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 47 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 27 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Cognitive Science | 5 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 37 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | 48 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 6 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 6 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 33 | — | — |
| Economics | 17 | — | — |
| Education | 1 | — | — |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 8 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 36 | — | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 7 | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 4 | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 9 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 2 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 19 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| History | 7 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 9 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 5 | — | — |
| Materials Engineering | 14 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 12 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 44 | — | — |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 15 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 14 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 4 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 17 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 9 | — | — |
| Psychology | 28 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 6 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | — | — |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 5 | — | — |
| Sociology | 12 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 340 | $81,315 | $109,461 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 14 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $69,245 | — |
| Education | — | $63,577 | — |
| Cognitive Science | — | — | — |
| Education, Other | — | — | — |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | — | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Colorado
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Fort Collins | $22,247 | 89% | $66,947 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | $13,803 | 99% | $57,612 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver | $10,217 | 75% | $69,387 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | $14,954 | 97% | $61,386 |
| Colorado State University Global | Denver | $17,732 | 98% | $82,047 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden | $32,901 | 61% | $102,077 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | $18,711 | 86% | $56,980 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy | — | 14% | — |
About University of Colorado Boulder
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Boulder, CO |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 31,939 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 19 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | colorado.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate?
University of Colorado Boulder admits 78% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,357 on the SAT.
How much does University of Colorado Boulder cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $37,189 a year (tuition and fees: $17,513 in-state, $47,142 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $23,708 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $13,403.
How much do University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $77,574 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 5th of 22 similar colleges in Colorado. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($88,113 a year after graduation).
What is University of Colorado Boulder's graduation rate?
74% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 90% of first-year students return for a second year.