CU Boulder vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Montana State University 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or MSU? 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 Montana State University than CU Boulder ($20,142 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 24.2% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,000 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 85.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $7,206 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at CU Boulder than at Montana State University (about $11,631 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at University of Colorado Boulder (83% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 4.8% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,763 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 160 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at MSU (3.5).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 20.3% at MSU.

CU Boulder vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($201 vs. $248).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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.