CU Boulder vs. Pitt

Deciding between University of Colorado Boulder and University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Colorado Boulder
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • Pitt Pittsburgh, PA
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • Pitt Large City
  • Enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • Pitt 35,724
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • Pitt Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • Pitt #138
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CU Boulder -
  • Pitt -
  • Status
  • CU Boulder Non-profit
  • Pitt Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CU Boulder
  • Pitt

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • Pitt $21,926
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • Pitt $41,430
  • Room & Board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • Pitt $13,620
  • Average Net Price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • Pitt $25,223
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • Pitt $16,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • Pitt 53%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • Pitt 60,898
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • Pitt 35,372
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • Pitt 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • Pitt 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • Pitt 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • Pitt 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • Pitt 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CU Boulder B+
  • Pitt A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • Pitt Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • CU Boulder
  • Pitt Low
  • ACT Range
  • CU Boulder 29/33
  • Pitt 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • CU Boulder 1240/1430
  • Pitt 1280/1460
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CU Boulder Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Pitt Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • Pitt

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CU Boulder 19:1
  • Pitt 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CU Boulder
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Pitt
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CU Boulder 68%
  • Pitt 79%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CU Boulder $56,900
  • Pitt $58,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CU Boulder 73%
  • Pitt 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CU Boulder $19,500
  • Pitt $26,909
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CU Boulder $201
  • Pitt $278

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CU Boulder 9%
  • Pitt 11%
  • % Women
  • CU Boulder 7%
  • Pitt 16%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CU Boulder Low
  • Pitt Low
  • HBCU
  • CU Boulder No
  • Pitt No
  • % White
  • CU Boulder 71%
  • Pitt 74%
  • % Asian
  • CU Boulder 5%
  • Pitt 9%
  • % Black
  • CU Boulder 2%
  • Pitt 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • CU Boulder 11%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % Native American
  • CU Boulder 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CU Boulder 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CU Boulder 5%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % International
  • CU Boulder 6%
  • Pitt 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CU Boulder 1%
  • Pitt 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CU Boulder 54%
  • Pitt 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CU Boulder 45%
  • Pitt 33%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CU Boulder Yes
  • Pitt Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CU Boulder No
  • Pitt No
  • Meal Plan
  • CU Boulder Yes
  • Pitt Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CU Boulder No
  • Pitt No
  • Daycare Facility
  • CU Boulder Yes
  • Pitt No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
  • University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

CU Boulder vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than CU Boulder ($25,223 vs. $26,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 26.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,620 vs. $18,468).
  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $6,260 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $15,666.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $3,488 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $41,430.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Boulder as at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (53% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 46.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($16,494 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 30 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Pitt (31).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
  • CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Pitt (58.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 13% at Pitt.

CU Boulder vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
  • Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $7,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,909).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($201 vs. $278).
  • More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.