CU Boulder vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CU Boulder vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Florida 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 Florida State University than CU Boulder ($15,815 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 27% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,474 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 177% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $10,010 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.1% higher at CU Boulder than at Florida State University (about $26,132 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of Colorado Boulder (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 21% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($11,225 vs. $9,279).

CU Boulder vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is the same as at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Florida State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

CU Boulder vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Florida 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.