Alabama vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 The University of Alabama than CU Boulder ($22,559 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 18.7% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($15,016 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $3,486 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at CU Boulder than at The University of Alabama (about $10,746 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of Colorado Boulder (80% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 55.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($17,503 vs. $11,225).

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 50 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

Alabama vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($201 vs. $245).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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.