CU Boulder vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

CU Boulder vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than CU Boulder ($15,522 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 22.4% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,332 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 78% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $6,867 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at CU Boulder than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $12,071 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Boulder than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 4% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,675 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 50 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 31.8% at NC State.

CU Boulder vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $300 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More NC State 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.