CU Denver vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, 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 CU Denver based on total student enrollment (38,799 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); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

CU Denver vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than CU Boulder ($14,831 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 16.4% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($15,442 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $5,283 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $15,527 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at University of Colorado Boulder (86% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($11,225 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 240 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at CU Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

CU Denver vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,690 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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.