CU Boulder vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than CU Boulder ($17,209 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 25% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,856 vs. $18,468).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $1,548 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $6,556 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of Colorado Boulder (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 11.8% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($12,552 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 60 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

CU Boulder vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $685 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($201 vs. $208).
• More Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.