CU Boulder vs. Nebraska

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

University of Colorado Boulder
University of Nebraska Lincoln

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU Boulder (78.1% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1210.
  • Cheaper after aid: Nebraska. Average net price is $18,322 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
  • Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs Nebraska 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs Nebraska $49,600 (median).
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Key differences

University of Colorado Boulder University of Nebraska Lincoln
Acceptance rate
CU Boulder more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
Nebraska87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
Nebraska1098-1330
Average net price
Nebraska $7,909 less
CU Boulder$26,231
Nebraska$18,322
In-state tuition
Nebraska $5,232 less
CU Boulder$15,666
Nebraska$10,434
Out-of-state tuition
Nebraska $16,334 less
CU Boulder$44,918
Nebraska$28,584
Graduation rate
CU Boulder +1 pts
CU Boulder68%
Nebraska67%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU Boulder +$7,300
CU Boulder$56,900
Nebraska$49,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • Nebraska 17,841
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • Nebraska 15,609
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • Nebraska 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • Nebraska 29.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • Nebraska 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • Nebraska 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • Nebraska 3.63
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU Boulder A-
  • Nebraska A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • Nebraska Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Boulder
  • Nebraska
  • SAT range
  • CU Boulder 1240-1430
  • Nebraska 1098-1330
  • ACT range
  • CU Boulder 29-33
  • Nebraska 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Boulder Test optional
  • Nebraska Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • Nebraska May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • Nebraska $10,434
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • Nebraska $28,584
  • Room & board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • Nebraska $14,120
  • Average net price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • Nebraska $18,322
  • Average grant aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • Nebraska $10,541
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • Nebraska 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU Boulder 68%
  • Nebraska 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU Boulder $56,900
  • Nebraska $49,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU Boulder 73%
  • Nebraska 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU Boulder $19,500
  • Nebraska $21,700
  • Median loan payment
  • CU Boulder $201
  • Nebraska $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU Boulder 19:1
  • Nebraska 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU Boulder
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Nebraska
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Agriculture (7%)
  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • Nebraska Lincoln, NE
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • Nebraska Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • Nebraska 24,393
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • Nebraska Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • Nebraska #380

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 24,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 23.5% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,120 vs. $18,468).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $16,334 more per year; $44,918 vs. $28,584).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of Colorado Boulder (94% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 6.5% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($11,225 vs. $10,541).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at CU Boulder than at Nebraska (31 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and Nebraska.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CU Boulder average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Nebraska (3.63).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,200 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,700).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($201 vs. $224).
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation (73% 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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