CU Boulder vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Colorado State? 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins than CU Boulder ($21,011 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 8.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,817 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $2,293 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $10,135 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at University of Colorado Boulder (69% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($11,225 vs. $10,160).

CU Boulder vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 150 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Colorado State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Colorado State? 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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.