CU Boulder vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

CU Boulder vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus than CU Boulder ($6,347 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 34.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($12,026 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 54.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $5,526 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.9% higher at CU Boulder than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $11,858 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Colorado Boulder (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 17.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($13,140 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. UNM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 310 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 31.2% at UNM.

CU Boulder vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus and CU Boulder graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of New Mexico Main Campus and CU Boulder graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 47%)

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.