CU Boulder vs. Colorado State

University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University Fort Collins side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University Fort Collins

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU Boulder (78.1% admitted vs 88.5%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colorado State. Average net price is $21,011 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
  • Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs Colorado State 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs Colorado State $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University Fort Collins
Acceptance rate
CU Boulder more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
Colorado State88.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
Colorado State1080-1290
Average net price
Colorado State $5,220 less
CU Boulder$26,231
Colorado State$21,011
In-state tuition
Colorado State $2,293 less
CU Boulder$15,666
Colorado State$13,373
Out-of-state tuition
Colorado State $10,135 less
CU Boulder$44,918
Colorado State$34,783
Graduation rate
CU Boulder +4 pts
CU Boulder68%
Colorado State64%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU Boulder +$5,100
CU Boulder$56,900
Colorado State$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • Colorado State 38,465
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • Colorado State 34,057
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • Colorado State 88.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • Colorado State 16.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • Colorado State 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • Colorado State 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • Colorado State 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU Boulder A-
  • Colorado State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • Colorado State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Boulder
  • Colorado State
  • SAT range
  • CU Boulder 1240-1430
  • Colorado State 1080-1290
  • ACT range
  • CU Boulder 29-33
  • Colorado State 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Boulder Test optional
  • Colorado State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • Colorado State Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • Colorado State $13,373
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • Colorado State $34,783
  • Room & board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • Colorado State $16,817
  • Average net price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • Colorado State $21,011
  • Average grant aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • Colorado State $10,160
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU Boulder 68%
  • Colorado State 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU Boulder $56,900
  • Colorado State $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU Boulder 73%
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU Boulder $19,500
  • Colorado State $21,004
  • Median loan payment
  • CU Boulder $201
  • Colorado State $217
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU Boulder 19:1
  • Colorado State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU Boulder
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Colorado State
    • Business (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • Colorado State Fort Collins, CO
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • Colorado State Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • Colorado State 34,096
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • Colorado State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • Colorado State #354

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 34,096 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 8.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,817 vs. $18,468).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $10,135 more per year; $44,918 vs. $34,783).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at University of Colorado Boulder (69% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($11,225 vs. $10,160).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado State (31 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and Colorado State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman CU Boulder students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at Colorado State (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,004).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($201 vs. $217).
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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