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University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder is a public campus in Boulder proper — federal locale codes class it as urban.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$11,251

family income
under $30k

$12,545

$30–48k

$17,204

$48–75k

$26,247

$75–110k

$30,549

over $110k

Average net price

$25,3462023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at University of Colorado Boulder rose from $18,131 (2008) to $25,346 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$18,131
2009	$19,461
2010	$20,085
2011	$21,533
2012	$21,849
2013	$21,792
2014	$21,806
2015	$23,127
2016	$20,706
2017	$21,510
2018	$21,680
2019	$20,967
2020	$21,771
2021	$20,971
2022	$21,480
2023	$25,346

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$37,6842024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at University of Colorado Boulder rose from $23,261 (2009) to $37,684 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$23,261
2010	$24,757
2011	$25,747
2012	$27,236
2013	$27,854
2014	$28,887
2015	$30,025
2016	$31,393
2017	$29,215
2018	$30,178
2019	$31,044
2020	$31,034
2021	$31,442
2022	$32,351
2023	$33,466
2024	$37,684

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,188	$16,506
2001	$3,357	$17,367
2002	$3,566	$18,919
2003	$4,020	$20,336
2004	$4,341	$21,453
2005	$5,372	$22,826
2006	$5,643	$23,539
2007	$6,636	$24,798
2008	$7,278	$26,756
2013	$10,347	$32,115
2014	$10,789	$33,151
2015	$11,091	$34,125
2016	$11,531	$35,079
2017	$12,086	$36,220
2018	$12,532	$37,286
2019	$12,500	$38,318
2020	$12,466	$38,284
2021	$12,496	$38,314
2022	$13,106	$40,356
2023	$16,430	$41,943

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

University of Colorado Boulder reports published tuition by residency: $15,666 in-state versus $44,918 out-of-state — a $29,252 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

University of Colorado Boulder reports 31,939 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

74.2% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at University of Colorado Boulder within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

74.2%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at University of Colorado Boulder rose from 64.6% (entered 1991) to 74.2% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	64.6%
1992 cohort	61.3%
1993 cohort	63.6%
1994 cohort	64.5%
1995 cohort	65.4%
1996 cohort	66.7%
1997 cohort	67.8%
1998 cohort	66.2%
1999 cohort	66.2%
2000 cohort	65.6%
2001 cohort	67.4%
2002 cohort	66.5%
2003 cohort	67%
2004 cohort	67.9%
2005 cohort	68.1%
2006 cohort	68%
2007 cohort	69.7%
2008 cohort	69.8%
2009 cohort	71.5%
2010 cohort	69.9%
2011 cohort	68.8%
2012 cohort	70.8%
2013 cohort	69.1%
2014 cohort	72.5%
2015 cohort	74%
2016 cohort	74.7%
2017 cohort	75%
2018 cohort	74.2%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$14,500	$6,620
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$14,370	$6,120
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$14,270	$8,120
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$13,960	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$13,620	$4,388
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$12,845	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$12,080	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$12,460	$3,546
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$13,423	$3,552
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$13,363	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$13,295	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$13,514	$4,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$14,373	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$15,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$17,752	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$19,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$19,135	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$19,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$19,154	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$19,500	$7,529
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$19,500	$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$19,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$19,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$19,500	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$54,939

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$64,625

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$69,738

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

University of Colorado Boulder admitted 52,539 of 67,286 applicants in Fall 2024. The 78.1% rate describes that application pool.

78.1%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $16,430 in-state tuition · 2023–24 31,939 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1240–14301600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

University of Colorado Boulder reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For University of Colorado Boulder’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 630–710 and Math was 610–720 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1240–1430 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	630	670	710
SAT Math	610	670	720
ACT Composite	29	31	33

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, University of Colorado Boulder received 67,286 applications and admitted 52,539 (78.1%), with 7,432 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

78.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	79.2%
Fall 2002	80.1%
Fall 2003	80.3%
Fall 2004	84.8%
Fall 2005	87.7%
Fall 2006	87.9%
Fall 2007	81.5%
Fall 2008	78%
Fall 2009	84%
Fall 2010	82.8%
Fall 2011	86.9%
Fall 2012	83.6%
Fall 2013	87.7%
Fall 2014	84.2%
Fall 2015	79.6%
Fall 2016	76.6%
Fall 2017	79.8%
Fall 2018	81.5%
Fall 2019	78.3%
Fall 2020	84.2%
Fall 2021	79.6%
Fall 2022	80.7%
Fall 2023	83.3%
Fall 2024	78.1%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1240–1430Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1070	1260
Fall 2002	1060	1260
Fall 2003	1080	1280
Fall 2004	1080	1280
Fall 2005	1080	1280
Fall 2006	1060	1280
Fall 2007	1060	1280
Fall 2008	1070	1280
Fall 2009	1080	1280
Fall 2010	1070	1290
Fall 2011	1060	1280
Fall 2012	1070	1280
Fall 2013	1060	1280
Fall 2014	1060	1290
Fall 2015	1070	1300
Fall 2016	1070	1310
Fall 2017	1150	1340
Fall 2018	1150	1360
Fall 2019	1140	1360
Fall 2020	1130	1350
Fall 2021	1170	1390
Fall 2022	1160	1390
Fall 2023	1230	1420
Fall 2024	1240	1430

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

29–33Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	22	27
Fall 2002	22	27
Fall 2003	23	28
Fall 2004	23	28
Fall 2005	23	28
Fall 2006	23	28
Fall 2007	23	28
Fall 2008	24	28
Fall 2009	24	29
Fall 2010	23	28
Fall 2011	24	28
Fall 2012	23	28
Fall 2013	24	29
Fall 2014	24	30
Fall 2015	24	30
Fall 2016	25	30
Fall 2017	25	30
Fall 2018	25	31
Fall 2019	25	31
Fall 2020	25	31
Fall 2021	25	31
Fall 2022	26	32
Fall 2023	28	33
Fall 2024	29	33

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

31,939Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder rose from 24,413 (Fall 2002) to 31,939 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	24,413
Fall 2003	25,472
Fall 2004	25,728
Fall 2005	25,364
Fall 2006	25,441
Fall 2007	25,497
Fall 2008	26,110
Fall 2009	26,426
Fall 2010	25,822
Fall 2011	25,741
Fall 2012	25,217
Fall 2013	25,461
Fall 2014	25,873
Fall 2015	26,496
Fall 2016	27,376
Fall 2017	28,565
Fall 2018	29,753
Fall 2019	30,630
Fall 2020	29,779
Fall 2021	30,414
Fall 2022	30,598
Fall 2023	31,578
Fall 2024	31,939

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

90%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at University of Colorado Boulder has held near 90% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	83%
Fall 2003 cohort	84%
Fall 2004 cohort	83%
Fall 2005 cohort	84%
Fall 2006 cohort	83%
Fall 2007 cohort	84%
Fall 2008 cohort	83%
Fall 2009 cohort	85%
Fall 2010 cohort	84%
Fall 2011 cohort	83%
Fall 2012 cohort	85%
Fall 2013 cohort	84%
Fall 2014 cohort	86%
Fall 2015 cohort	86%
Fall 2016 cohort	87%
Fall 2017 cohort	88%
Fall 2018 cohort	87%
Fall 2019 cohort	85%
Fall 2020 cohort	87%
Fall 2021 cohort	88%
Fall 2022 cohort	89%
Fall 2023 cohort	90%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about University of Colorado Boulder

Faculty pay at University of Colorado Boulder averages $159,888 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes University of Colorado Boulder as a primarily residential campus of 31,939 undergraduates — and 90.1% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

University of Colorado Boulder's SAT section-percentile sums are 1240–1430 — their midpoint is above the CO four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on University of Colorado Boulder's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How University of Colorado Boulder compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

University of Colorado Boulder78.1%

Colorado median86.5%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

University of Colorado Boulder$15,666

Colorado median$12,750

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

University of Colorado Boulder's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

University of Colorado Boulder$69,738

Colorado median$53,445

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado and national reference values
Metric & basis	University of Colorado Boulder	Colorado median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	78.1%	86.5%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$15,666	$12,750	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$69,738	$53,445	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For University of Colorado Boulder, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

University of Colorado Boulder federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 39 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$121,952
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering	$116,350
Computer Engineering	$115,181
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$100,631
Chemical Engineering	$95,780
Civil Engineering	$94,960
Mechanical Engineering	$93,073
Mathematics	$90,635
Architectural Engineering	$89,797
Biochemical Engineering	$89,262
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$86,441
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering	$82,020
Physics	$75,764
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$74,779
Economics	$73,319
Astronomy and Astrophysics	$72,698
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$72,306
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$71,942
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	$71,444
Political Science and Government	$69,651
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences	$68,579
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$68,488
Communication and Media Studies	$66,623
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$63,337
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services	$62,119
Environmental Design	$61,788
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences	$60,453
International/Globalization Studies	$59,796
Sociology	$58,026
Geography and Cartography	$57,677
Journalism	$57,079
Psychology, General	$56,867
Anthropology	$55,217
English Language and Literature, General	$54,085
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$53,429
History	$49,401
Fine and Studio Arts	$47,297
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$39,720
Music	$38,701

These 39 fields listed for University of Colorado Boulder measure earnings after completion. The $69,738 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 29 additional University of Colorado Boulder fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does University of Colorado Boulder report?

University of Colorado Boulder's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1240–1430 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate?

78.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 52,539 admitted from 67,286 applicants.

How much does University of Colorado Boulder cost?

In-state tuition is $15,666; out-of-state students pay $44,918. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does University of Colorado Boulder report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $69,738. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Colorado

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus — 74.7% admitted
Colorado School of Mines — 60.7% admitted
University of Denver — 77.8% admitted
Fort Lewis College — 77.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.