UCCS vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCCS vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or CU Boulder? 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 Colorado Colorado Springs than CU Boulder ($16,942 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 30.1% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($12,918 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 54.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $5,517 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.6% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $20,582 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs than at University of Colorado Boulder (80% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 51.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($11,225 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 220 points higher than at UCCS (1120).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at UCCS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

UCCS vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and CU Boulder? 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 Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,499 lower median loan debt than UCCS graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,999).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCCS graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCCS students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.