CU Boulder vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Utah 19:1.

CU Boulder vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Utah? 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 Utah than CU Boulder ($16,583 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 27.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,315 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 62.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $6,046 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Utah (about $14,058 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at University of Colorado Boulder (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 13.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($12,744 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 50 points higher than at Utah (1290).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 26% at Utah.

CU Boulder vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah 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.