CU Boulder vs. New Mexico Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than New Mexico Tech based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 1,622 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is in Socorro, NM (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 9:1.

CU Boulder vs. New Mexico Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or New Mexico Tech? 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 New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology than CU Boulder ($11,551 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are 44% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($10,350 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 65.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Tech (about $6,190 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,476.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.9% higher at CU Boulder than at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (about $17,671 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $27,247.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology than at University of Colorado Boulder (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology students is 19.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($13,376 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. New Mexico Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or New Mexico Tech? 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 New Mexico Tech and CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 140 points higher than at New Mexico Tech (1200).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at New Mexico Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; New Mexico Tech - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; New Mexico Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at New Mexico Tech (3.63).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than New Mexico Tech (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 27.1% at New Mexico Tech.

CU Boulder vs. New Mexico Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and New Mexico Tech? 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 New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology's (46%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than New Mexico Tech graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than New Mexico Tech graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More New Mexico Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

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.