University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham than CU Boulder ($17,997 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 23.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,170 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 72.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $6,568 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $22,356 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of Colorado Boulder (90% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 1.8% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($11,225 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 10 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,400), 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 52%)

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.