CU Boulder vs. Utah
University of Colorado Boulder and University of Utah side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Utah
At a glance
- Harder to get into: CU Boulder (78.1% admitted vs 86%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1290.
- Cheaper after aid: Utah. Average net price is $16,583 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
- Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs Utah 55%.
- Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs Utah $61,300 (median).
Acceptance rate
CU Boulder more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
Utah86%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
Utah1190-1380
Average net price
Utah $9,648 less
CU Boulder$26,231
Utah$16,583
In-state tuition
Utah $6,046 less
CU Boulder$15,666
Utah$9,620
Out-of-state tuition
Utah $14,058 less
CU Boulder$44,918
Utah$30,860
Graduation rate
CU Boulder +13 pts
CU Boulder68%
Utah55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Utah +$4,400
CU Boulder$56,900
Utah$61,300
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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CU Boulder My Chances
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Utah My Chances
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- Applied
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CU Boulder 67,286
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Utah 26,822
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- Admitted
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CU Boulder 52,539
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Utah 23,062
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- Acceptance rate
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CU Boulder 78.1%
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Utah 86%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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CU Boulder 14.1%
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Utah 26%
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- Typical SAT score
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CU Boulder 1340
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Utah 1290
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- Typical ACT score
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CU Boulder 31
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Utah 25
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- Average high school GPA
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CU Boulder 3.68
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Utah 3.64
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- Typical high school grades
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CU Boulder A-
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Utah A-
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- Admissions standards
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CU Boulder Very High
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Utah Difficult
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- Applicant competition
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CU Boulder
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Utah
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- SAT range
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CU Boulder 1240-1430
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Utah 1190-1380
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- ACT range
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CU Boulder 29-33
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Utah 22-29
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- Submit test scores
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CU Boulder Test optional
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Utah Test optional
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- Application deadline
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CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
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Utah Apr 1, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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CU Boulder $15,666
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Utah $9,620
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- Tuition (out of state)
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CU Boulder $44,918
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Utah $30,860
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- Room & board
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CU Boulder $18,468
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Utah $13,315
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- Average net price
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CU Boulder $26,231
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Utah $16,583
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- Average grant aid
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CU Boulder $11,225
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Utah $12,744
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- % receiving grant aid
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CU Boulder 53%
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Utah 73%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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CU Boulder 68%
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Utah 55%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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CU Boulder $56,900
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Utah $61,300
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- Making student loan payments
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CU Boulder 73%
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Utah 72%
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- Median student loan debt
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CU Boulder $19,500
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Utah $15,000
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- Median loan payment
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CU Boulder $201
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Utah $155
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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CU Boulder 19:1
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Utah 19:1
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- Popular majors
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CU Boulder
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Business (12%)
- Biology (10%)
- Psychology (10%)
- Communication (8%)
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Utah
- Social Sciences (17%)
- Business (13%)
- Communication (9%)
- Health Professions (8%)
- Engineering (7%)
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School basics
- School
- CU Boulder University of Colorado Boulder
- Utah University of Utah
- Location
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CU Boulder Boulder, CO
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Utah Salt Lake City, UT
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- Setting
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CU Boulder Small City
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Utah Midsize City
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- Total enrollment
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CU Boulder 38,799
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Utah 36,894
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- Type
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CU Boulder Public 4 Year
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Utah Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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CU Boulder #199
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Utah #258
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Comparable Facts
Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 36,894 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
- University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Utah 19:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 27.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,315 vs. $18,468).
- Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Utah (about $14,058 more per year; $44,918 vs. $30,860).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at University of Colorado Boulder (73% vs. 53%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 13.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($12,744 vs. $11,225).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at CU Boulder than at Utah (31 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and Utah.
- Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at CU Boulder average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Utah (3.64).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 26% at Utah.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
- Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($155 vs. $201).
- More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 72%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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