CU Boulder vs. BYU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than BYU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 35,873 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CU Boulder vs. BYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or BYU? 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 Brigham Young University than CU Boulder ($16,694 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 43.7% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($10,396 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 134.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $8,978 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 571.6% higher at CU Boulder than at Brigham Young University (about $38,230 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Boulder than at Brigham Young University (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 84.4% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($11,225 vs. $6,088).

CU Boulder vs. BYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or BYU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU and CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Brigham Young University (1370) is 30 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 30 at BYU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Brigham Young University 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Brigham Young University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; BYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman BYU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than BYU (67.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 77.5% at BYU.

CU Boulder vs. BYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and BYU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Brigham Young University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($113 vs. $201).
• More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.