CU Boulder vs. Colorado College

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

University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado College (18.5% admitted vs 78.1%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU Boulder. Average net price is $26,231 vs $36,123 at Colorado College.
  • Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs Colorado College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs Colorado College $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Colorado Boulder Colorado College
Acceptance rate
Colorado College more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
Colorado College18.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado College higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
Colorado College1230-1460
Average net price
CU Boulder $9,892 less
CU Boulder$26,231
Colorado College$36,123
In-state tuition
CU Boulder $55,068 less
CU Boulder$15,666
Colorado College$70,734
Out-of-state tuition
CU Boulder $25,816 less
CU Boulder$44,918
Colorado College$70,734
Graduation rate
Colorado College +20 pts
CU Boulder68%
Colorado College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU Boulder +$10,900
CU Boulder$56,900
Colorado College$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • Colorado College 8,511
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • Colorado College 1,572
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • Colorado College 18.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • Colorado College 30.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • Colorado College 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • Colorado College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • Colorado College 3.98
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU Boulder A-
  • Colorado College A
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Boulder
  • Colorado College Very High
  • SAT range
  • CU Boulder 1240-1430
  • Colorado College 1230-1460
  • ACT range
  • CU Boulder 29-33
  • Colorado College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Boulder Test optional
  • Colorado College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • Colorado College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Room & board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • Colorado College $16,020
  • Average net price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • Colorado College $36,123
  • Average grant aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • Colorado College $50,834
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • Colorado College 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU Boulder 68%
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU Boulder $56,900
  • Colorado College $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU Boulder 73%
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU Boulder $19,500
  • Colorado College $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • CU Boulder $201
  • Colorado College $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU Boulder 19:1
  • Colorado College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU Boulder
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Colorado College
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • Colorado College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • Colorado College 2,056
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • Colorado College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • Colorado College #78

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 2,056 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado College is in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting).
  • University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 13.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,020 vs. $18,468).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Colorado College than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $25,816 more per year; $70,734 vs. $44,918).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado College than at University of Colorado Boulder (56% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 352.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($50,834 vs. $11,225).

Admissions details

  • Incoming CU Boulder students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 31) as students at Colorado College (31).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and Colorado College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Colorado College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado College average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at CU Boulder (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 30.3% at Colorado College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Colorado College graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado College graduates ($201 vs. $211).
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 73%).

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

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