CU Boulder vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Nebraska? 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln than CU Boulder ($18,322 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 23.5% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,120 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $5,232 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $16,334 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of Colorado Boulder (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 6.5% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($11,225 vs. $10,541).

CU Boulder vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 130 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

CU Boulder vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Nebraska? 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,200 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($201 vs. $224).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.