CU Denver vs. Boise State

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Boise State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or Boise State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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University of Colorado Denver vs. Boise State University comparison
University of Colorado Denver Boise State University College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Boise State University
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Overview

 CU Denver Boise State
Location Denver, CO Boise, ID
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 23,744 26,115
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #899
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu boisestate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CU Denver Boise State
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $5,532
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $22,869
Room & Board $14,230 $13,841
Avg Net Price $16,079 $17,724
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $9,892
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 93%

Admission

 CU Denver Boise State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 16,795
Admitted 11,658 14,096
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 83.9%
Enrolled % 14.6% 22.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/26
SAT Range 1030/1260 1030/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 CU Denver Boise State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 CU Denver Boise State
Graduation Rate 40% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $22,929
Median Loan Payment $219 $237

Diversity

 CU Denver Boise State
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 74%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 CU Denver Boise State
% In-State 82% 59%
% Out-of-State 15% 40%

Campus

 CU Denver Boise State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Boise State University is larger than than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (26,115 students vs. 23,744 students)

CU Denver vs. Boise State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Boise State?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 57.9% more expensive to attend than Boise State for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $5,532.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at CU Denver than Boise State University ($25,992.00 vs. $22,869.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Boise State ($16,079 vs. $17,724)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boise State University are 2.8% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($13,841 vs. $14,230)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver as Boise State University (93% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boise State University students is 5.4% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($9,892 vs. $9,384)

CU Denver vs. Boise State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Boise State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Boise State or CU Denver .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 9 points higher than at Boise State (1046)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Boise State (23)
  • 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 (83.9%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. Boise State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Boise State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Boise State and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is higher than Boise State University (40% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $26,600 more per year than Boise State graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $41,600)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $1,739 lower median federal student loan debt than Boise State graduates. ($21,190 vs. $22,929)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans 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/