CU Boulder vs. FLC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than FLC based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Fort Lewis College is in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Lewis College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Fort Lewis College 14:1.

CU Boulder vs. FLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or FLC? 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 Fort Lewis College than CU Boulder ($17,114 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Lewis College are 25.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,680 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 57.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $5,708 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at CU Boulder than at Fort Lewis College (about $23,392 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at University of Colorado Boulder (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 69.8% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($11,225 vs. $6,610).

CU Boulder vs. FLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 230 points higher than at FLC (1110).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at FLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Fort Lewis College 1010/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Fort Lewis College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; FLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; FLC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at FLC (3.3).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 19.5% at FLC.

CU Boulder vs. FLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and FLC? 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 Fort Lewis College's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College and CU Boulder graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Fort Lewis College and CU Boulder graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FLC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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.