CU Denver vs. Boise State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Boise State University in Boise, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boise State University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Boise State University is in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Boise State University 20:1.

CU Denver vs. Boise State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Boise State? 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Boise State ($14,831 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boise State University are 3.6% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($14,884 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boise State (about $1,335 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $9,048.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at CU Denver than at Boise State University (about $1,603 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $27,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Boise State University (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boise State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($9,507 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Boise State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Boise State? 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 Boise State and CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boise State University (1120) is 20 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Boise State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Boise State University 1030/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Boise State University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Boise State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Boise State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• Boise State has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 24.1% at Boise State.

CU Denver vs. Boise State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Boise State? 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $26,600 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $1,739 lower median loan debt than Boise State graduates ($21,190 vs. $22,929).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boise State graduates ($219 vs. $237).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.