CU Boulder vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or OSU? 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 Oregon State University than CU Boulder ($22,467 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 11.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,386 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $1,266 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at CU Boulder than at Oregon State University (about $6,728 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of Colorado Boulder (90% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University students is 0% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,230 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. OSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or OSU? 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 OSU and CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 70 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at OSU (3.61).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 20.4% at OSU.

CU Boulder vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.