UCSD vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 California San Diego 19:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

UCSD vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 California San Diego than CU Boulder ($14,047 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 2.6% lower than at University of California San Diego ($18,468 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $1,092 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at UCSD than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $6,040 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Colorado Boulder (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 129.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($25,757 vs. $11,225).

UCSD vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 40 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming UCSD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at CU Boulder (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

UCSD vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($191 vs. $201).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.