Alabama vs. CU Boulder

Should I go to The University of Alabama or University of Colorado Boulder? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alabama or CU Boulder is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Colorado State CU Denver DU Tennessee Colorado School of Mines Ole Miss Utah Auburn LSU UCCS Georgia Clemson
The University of Alabama vs. University of Colorado Boulder comparison
The University of Alabama University of Colorado Boulder College 3 College 4
The University of Alabama University of Colorado Boulder
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Alabama CU Boulder
Location Tuscaloosa, AL Boulder, CO
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 38,644 39,585
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #404 #191
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ua.edu colorado.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alabama CU Boulder
Tuition (In State) $11,100 $11,520
Tuition (Out of State) $31,460 $38,770
Room & Board $14,426 $16,146
Avg Net Price $20,592 $21,836
Avg Grant Aid $15,683 $10,477
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 57%

Admission

Alabama CU Boulder
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,072 53,781
Admitted 43,290 43,416
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 80.7%
Enrolled % 18.6% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/31 26/32
SAT Range 1130/1410 1160/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Alabama CU Boulder
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Alabama CU Boulder
Graduation Rate 66% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $56,900
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,750 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $201

Diversity

Alabama CU Boulder
% Men 43% 55%
% Women 57% 45%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 71%
% Black 11% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Alabama CU Boulder
% In-State 35% 53%
% Out-of-State 64% 45%

Campus

Alabama CU Boulder
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than Alabama based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 38,644 students)

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or CU Boulder?

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 3.8% more expensive to attend than Alabama for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $11,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at CU Boulder than The University of Alabama ($38,770.00 vs. $31,460.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Alabama than CU Boulder ($20,592 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 11.9% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,426 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Alabama than University of Colorado Boulder (82% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 49.7% larger than aid received University of Colorado Boulder ($15,683 vs. $10,477)

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama or CU Boulder? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CU Boulder or Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 31 points higher than at Alabama (1181)
  • Incoming Alabama students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at CU Boulder (27)
  • Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at CU Boulder (3.68)
  • CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (80.7%) than Alabama (80.1%)

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alabama or CU Boulder? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CU Boulder and Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than The University of Alabama (68% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $7,000 more per year than Alabama graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $49,900)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $4,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Alabama graduates. ($19,500 vs. $23,750)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Alabama graduates. ($201 vs. $245)
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/