University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · offers Graduate degrees

Midsize city

78%Acceptance rate
$25,346Average net price / year
74%Graduation rate
$69,738Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$19,500Median debt at graduation
31,939Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$15,666
Out-of-state tuition
$44,918
Total cost of attendance
$37,684
Room & board
$18,468
Books & supplies
$1,200
Average net price
$25,346

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$14,231
$30–48k
$14,381
$48–75k
$18,828
$75–110k
$26,915
$110k+
$34,818

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
78.1%
Average SAT
1357
SAT reading (25–75%)
630–710
SAT math (25–75%)
610–720
ACT composite (25–75%)
29–33

Outcomes

Graduation rate
74%
First-year retention
90%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$54,939
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$69,738
Median debt (graduates)
$19,500
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
14%
Students with federal loans
25%

Programs: what graduates earn

84 of 226 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Undergraduate certificate

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering28$88,957$19,221
Computer Engineering—$86,211$23,338
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering218$81,835$24,500
Computer Science483$77,385$19,687
Civil Engineering50$73,033$19,318
Architectural Engineering31$72,567$14,500
Biochemical Engineering62$70,668$15,516
Chemical Engineering44$70,359$23,650
Mechanical Engineering262$66,089$18,958
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering51$63,049$20,836
Business Administration, Management and Operations1,201$56,014$20,500
Economics272$51,521$15,630
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology72$50,474$18,487
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other—$48,229$23,913
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences20$46,263$19,500
Astronomy and Astrophysics76$45,066$21,500
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences146$43,192$15,500
Environmental Design129$42,401$22,497
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication411$42,218$18,500
Physics82$41,874$19,306
Mathematics99$41,176$19,258
Political Science and Government281$39,954$18,742
Communication and Media Studies201$39,738$16,500
Sociology191$37,958$16,000
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology194$37,184$21,256
History86$37,044$15,250
Anthropology66$36,822$18,583
Neurobiology and Neurosciences147$35,980$20,547
Journalism61$34,022$15,250
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences351$33,926$19,483
International/Globalization Studies122$33,892$17,340
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft27$32,142—
Geography and Cartography—$32,078$16,500
English Language and Literature, General101$31,825$19,225
Natural Resources Conservation and Research206$30,747$19,750
Psychology, General585$30,176$18,794
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services65$24,628$15,303
Film/Video and Photographic Arts64$22,601$19,500
Fine and Studio Arts69$17,501$19,500
Philosophy59$37,938$22,000
Music67$22,575$15,000
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services29$40,960—
Engineering Physics29$111,748—
Applied Mathematics51$94,459—
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies48$40,015—
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics15$32,239—

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services0$73,794—
Chemistry28$72,394—
Music21$38,458$33,336
Political Science and Government5$69,451—
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering22$118,373—

First professional degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Law171$73,809$105,696

Students

Undergraduates
31,939
Graduate students
12,994
Part-time
10%
Women / men
47% / 53%
White
67%
Hispanic
14%
Black
2%
Asian
6%
International
3%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
19:1
Avg faculty salary
$119,916 / year
Full-time faculty
76%
Accreditor
Higher Learning Commission
Website
www.colorado.edu
Also known as
U of Colorado|Univ of Colorado|University of Colorado|U of CO|Univ of CO|University of CO|Boulder|CU|CU-Boulder|UCB|CUB|Colorado|Colorado University|U of Colo|Univ of Colo|University of Colo|Colo|Buffs|Buffalos|Buffaloes|CU at Boulder|Golden Buffs|University of Colorado at Boulder

Most popular fields

  • Natural Resources & Conservation – 3% of degrees
  • Architecture – 2% of degrees
  • Communication & Journalism – 10% of degrees
  • Computer & Information Sciences – 7% of degrees
  • Engineering – 13% of degrees
  • Biological Sciences – 11% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Colorado Boulder?

78.1% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1357 on the SAT.

How much does University of Colorado Boulder cost?

The average net price after grants is $25,346 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $15,666 and the full cost of attendance is $37,684.

How much do University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $69,738 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

74% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Boulder

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder
Boulder, CO · Private for-profit · 8,504 students
$13,367—48%$32,001
Naropa University
Boulder, CO · Private nonprofit · 339 students
$29,179100%37%$28,720
Dr. Ida Rolf Institute
Boulder, CO · Private nonprofit · 12 students
$35,373100%100%—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.