CU Boulder Rankings and Evaluation

National Universities

#206 in National Universities

World Universities

#148 in World Universities

Colorado Colleges

#5 in Colorado Colleges

University of Colorado Boulder is ranked 206^th in National Universities, 148^th in World Universities, and 5^th in Colorado Colleges.

The following statements evaluate University of Colorado Boulder by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

Its tuition & fees of $42,970 is very expensive compared to similar schools.
The acceptance rate (78%) is average.
The SAT & ACT scores (1,340 SAT, 31 ACT) is higher (competitive score).
It has very large number of students of 38,799.
The financial aid amount ($12,072) is higher.
It offers very diverse area of study (223 programs).

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of CU Boulder are $42,970 (out-of-state rate) and it is very expensive compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder $42,970

All U.S. Colleges $17,692

Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895

4-Years Colleges $22,926

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado $21,104

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of CU Boulder are $38,802 (out-of-state rate) and it is very expensive compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder $38,802

All U.S. Colleges $18,842

Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343

4-Years Colleges $18,848

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado $19,587

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of CU Boulder is 78% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 78%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%

4-Years Colleges 68%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 77%

Yield (Enrollment Rate)

The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of CU Boulder is 14% and the yield is much lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 14%

All U.S. Colleges 37%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%

4-Years Colleges 35%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 33%

SAT Scores

The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at CU Boulder is 1,340 and it is higher (competitive score) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 1,340

All U.S. Colleges 1,123

Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112

4-Years Colleges 1,124

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 1,122

ACT Scores

The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at CU Boulder is 31 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 31

All U.S. Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges 67

4-Years Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 69

Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate at CU Boulder is 74% and it is extremely higher (most students completed in-time) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 74%

All U.S. Colleges 56%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%

4-Years Colleges 51%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 43%

Transfer-out Rate

The average transfer-out rate at CU Boulder is 16% and it is lower (small number of students transferred-out) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 16%

All U.S. Colleges 21%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%

4-Years Colleges 24%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 26%

Retention Rate

The average retention rate at CU Boulder is 90% and it is extremely higher (most students continue to attend) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 90%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%

4-Years Colleges 73%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 72%

Student Population

The total student population at CU Boulder is 38,799 and its population very large compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder 38,799

All U.S. Colleges 2,931

Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396

4-Years Colleges 4,686

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado 12,164

Financial Aid Amount

The average amount of financial aid received at CU Boulder is $12,072 which is 28.09% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder $12,072

All U.S. Colleges $7,676

Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301

4-Years Colleges $12,161

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado $6,991

Student to Faculty Ratio

The students to faculty ratio at CU Boulder is 19 to 1 and the ratio is higher (more students per class/faculty) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Colorado.