CU Boulder vs. St. John's College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than St. John's College based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); St. John's College is in Santa Fe, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; St. John's College 8:1.

CU Boulder vs. St. John's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or St. John's College? 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 St. John's College than CU Boulder ($25,209 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John's College are 12.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,088 vs. $18,468).
• St. John's College is 158.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $24,838 more per year; $40,504.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at CU Boulder than at St. John's College (about $4,414 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $40,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John's College than at University of Colorado Boulder (93% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John's College students is 173% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($30,644 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. St. John's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or St. John's College? 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 St. John's College and CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John's College (1380) is 40 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at St. John's College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; St. John's College 1290/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; St. John's College 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; St. John's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. John's College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than St. John's College (53.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 37% at St. John's College.

CU Boulder vs. St. John's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and St. John's College? 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 St. John's College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than St. John's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than St. John's College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. John's College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. John's College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 72%)

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.