CU Boulder vs. Colorado College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado College is in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado College 9:1.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Colorado College? 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 Colorado Boulder than Colorado College ($26,231 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 13.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,020 vs. $18,468).
• Colorado College is 351.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $55,068 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Colorado College than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $25,816 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado College than at University of Colorado Boulder (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 352.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($50,834 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Colorado College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or Colorado College? 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 Colorado College and CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 10 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Colorado College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Colorado College 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Colorado College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Colorado College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Colorado College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 30.3% at Colorado College.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Colorado College? 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Colorado College graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado College graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.