U of A vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Arizona 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 Arizona 20:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

U of A vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 Arizona than CU Boulder ($19,055 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 9.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,746 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $1,740 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Arizona (about $2,640 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Colorado Boulder (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 22.7% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($13,776 vs. $11,225).

U of A vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 50 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

U of A vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($196 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.