CU Boulder vs. MATC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than MATC based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 13,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Milwaukee Area Technical College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Milwaukee Area Technical College 10:1.

CU Boulder vs. MATC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or MATC? 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College than CU Boulder ($8,729 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Area Technical College are 46.8% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($9,818 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 202.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MATC (about $10,482 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $5,184.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 504.8% higher at CU Boulder than at Milwaukee Area Technical College (about $37,491 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $7,427.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Area Technical College than at University of Colorado Boulder (64% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 31.7% larger than aid received by Milwaukee Area Technical College students ($11,225 vs. $8,523).

CU Boulder vs. MATC Admissions comparison

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

• Milwaukee Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; MATC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.

CU Boulder vs. MATC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and MATC? 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).

• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than MATC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($11,250 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, MATC graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($116 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MATC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 34%)

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.