How much does University of Colorado Boulder cost?

The average net price at University of Colorado Boulder is $25,346 per year after financial aid. Over 4 years, that's approximately $101,384 total. Average student debt at graduation: $19,500.

What do University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn?

Graduates of University of Colorado Boulder earn a median salary of $69,738 ten years after enrollment. That's 30% above the national average.

What is the University of Colorado Boulder acceptance rate?

University of Colorado Boulder accepts approximately 78.1% of applicants.

Does University of Colorado Boulder require SAT or ACT?

University of Colorado Boulder is test-optional — applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores but they are not required. SAT or ACT score ACT and SAT scores are not required for transfer students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them.

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

publicWebsite

Value

Median Earnings (10yr)

$69,738

+30% vs average

Net Price / Year

$25,346

+24% vs average

Graduation Rate

75%

Payback Period

1.5 years

Median Debt

$19,500

Student Body

31,939

University of Colorado Boulder — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Source: U.S. Dept of Education (College Scorecard)CollegeValueRanked

Admission Rate

78%

University of Colorado Boulder at a Glance

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system. CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities, is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and has been referred to as a Public Ivy.

Founded

1876

150 years old

Endowment

$2.5B

$2.47 billion ( FY 2025) (system-wide)

Students

38,808

32,520 undergrad · 6,288 grad

Faculty

3,589

Campus

786 acres

Identity

Motto: Λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ( Greek )Athletics: BuffaloesMascot: Ralphie (bison) Chip (costume)Colors: Silver, black, and goldAffiliation: AAU ORAU UArctic URA Space-grantPresident: Todd Saliman

Sources:Wikipedia

How to Apply to University of Colorado Boulder

Official admissions page

Test-optionalCommon App member

Application fee

$65

Fee waiver available

Rec letters

1 required

Testing policy

SAT or ACT score ACT and SAT scores are not required for transfer students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them.

Recommendation letters

Letter of recommendation CU Boulder requires one letter of recommendation.

Fee waiver

If you are eligible for an application fee waiver you can request one on the Common Application.

Requirements can change between admissions cycles. Always verify current requirements on the official admissions page before applying.

Is University of Colorado Boulder Worth It?

University of Colorado Boulder offers moderate value at $25,346/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $69,738, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.

The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.

How University of Colorado Boulder compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally

Ranked #13 of 18 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.

Rank	College	Value	Net price / yr	Median earnings
#1	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	100	$11,531	$71,902
#2	San Jose State University	96	$13,760	$78,988
#3	Utah Valley University	94	$6,376	$55,486
#4	University of California-Riverside	90	$14,304	$67,699
#5	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	87	$16,778	$69,020
#6	University of Delaware	82	$17,799	$72,950
#13	University of Colorado Boulder	51	$25,346	$69,738

Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Colorado Boulder's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).

Best Programs at University of Colorado Boulder

The highest-earning program at University of Colorado Boulder is Computer Science at $70,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at $18,600/year.

Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Colorado Boulder earns $70,100, while a East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduate earns $18,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.

Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $22,500 in median debt vs. $22,271 for East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$101,384

Based on $25,346/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

+30%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

1.5 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$595,996

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Programs & Earnings by Major

Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):

Major	Earnings (4yr)	Earnings (1yr)	Median Debt
Computer Science	$70,100	$70,100	$22,500
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering	$67,400	$67,400	$20,820
Computer Engineering	$67,200	$67,200	$16,000
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering	$63,800	$63,800	N/A
Chemical Engineering	$62,100	$62,100	$25,500
Architectural Engineering	$61,400	$61,400	$21,500
Mechanical Engineering	$59,100	$59,100	$18,500
Biochemical Engineering	$56,800	$56,800	$22,500
Civil Engineering	$55,600	$55,600	$20,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$49,500	$49,500	$19,500
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering	$46,400	$46,400	$19,500
Economics	$42,700	$42,700	$20,375
Mathematics	$38,500	$38,500	$16,000
Political Science and Government	$37,100	$37,100	$17,500
Environmental Design	$36,300	$36,300	$22,750
Journalism	$36,200	$36,200	$18,500
Communication and Media Studies	$35,900	$35,900	$17,500
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences	$35,300	$35,300	$18,959
Geography and Cartography	$33,500	$33,500	$21,000
International/Global Studies	$33,200	$33,200	$20,500
History	$33,000	$33,000	$20,500
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$32,300	$32,300	$18,250
Psychology, General	$30,200	$30,200	$19,449
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$29,800	$29,800	$18,877
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences	$29,700	$29,700	$18,700
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	$28,800	$28,800	$19,576
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$28,500	$28,500	$18,374
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$28,300	$28,300	$21,225
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$28,200	$28,200	$17,500
Sociology	$27,800	$27,800	$18,454
Astronomy and Astrophysics	$27,700	$27,700	$19,530
Music	$26,500	$26,500	$17,500
Anthropology	$25,800	$25,800	$20,500
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services	$25,400	$25,400	$17,000
English Language and Literature, General	$25,000	$25,000	$20,500
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$24,700	$24,700	$20,500
Fine and Studio Arts	$22,700	$22,700	$18,625
Philosophy	$22,000	$22,000	$18,727
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$18,600	$18,600	$22,271

Similar Colleges in CO

Colorado School of Mines

$97,335 earnings · $28,690/yr net price

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

$64,270 earnings · $11,900/yr net price

Regis University

$72,105 earnings · $18,397/yr net price

Colorado State University Pueblo

$55,563 earnings · $10,051/yr net price

Morgan Community College

$39,429 earnings · $9,266/yr net price

View all colleges in CO →

Quick Facts

Institution Type: public
Location: Boulder, CO
Student Body: 31,939 students
Admission Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 75%
Net Price (Annual): $25,346
Median Earnings (10yr): $69,738
Median Student Debt: $19,500

Explore More

Earnings & cost trends →All colleges in CO →Compare colleges →Our methodology →Best public colleges →

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.