Auburn vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

Auburn vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or CU Boulder? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Auburn University than CU Boulder ($25,242 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 10% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,626 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $2,776 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at CU Boulder than at Auburn University (about $9,996 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at University of Colorado Boulder (80% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($11,225 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or CU Boulder? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CU Boulder and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 10 points higher than at Auburn (1330).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

Auburn vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and CU Boulder? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.