University of Colorado Boulder Tuition and Fees

By Kevin Brouillard

Total Cost of Attendance

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is a four-year public research institution with numerous undergraduate and graduate programs. The university, which has more than 270 fields of study, is known for its strong programs in engineering, physics, and environmental science.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $16,430, while out-of-state tuition was $41,943. Below is a breakdown of the total cost of attendance for students attending the University of Colorado Boulder.

Financial Aid

At the University of Colorado Boulder, 66% of undergraduate students enrolled full-time received financial aid for the 2022-2023 academic year. Grant or scholarship aid was the most common form of financial aid, with 54% of undergraduates getting these awards, totaling $10,838 on average.

Approximately 15% of CU Boulder undergrad students received federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, with an average grant of $5,376.

Explore financial aid options: Colorado Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, or nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for open and upcoming grant opportunities grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Search thousands of scholarships, grants, and other aid award opportunities and filter for specific criteria, including location and field of study.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

In 2022-2023, 7% of first-time undergraduate students at CU Boulder took out private student loans to cover educational costs. The average private student loan amount was $27,144. In comparison, 29% of students received federal student loans, with an average award of $5,101.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school. Federal student loans don’t have to be paid back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for because it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Based on the 2023-2024 tuition and costs, a four-year degree at CU Boulder would cost $150,736 for in-state students and $252,788 for out-of-state students, without factoring in any cost increases. This is higher than the average cost for four years at a public university in the U.S., which is $115,360, according to CollegeData.com.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The CU Boulder tuition and fees for students who are Colorado residents is $16,430, while students from other states pay $41,943. In comparison, the average cost for in-state and out-of-state students to attend public university in the U.S. is $11,260 and $29,150, respectively.

The cost for room and board at CU Boulder is $16,950 for in-state and out-of-state students. This is more than the average room and board at other public universities, which is $12,770.

This puts the total at University of Colorado Boulder — $33,380 for in-state students and $58,893 for those out-of-state — notably higher than the average total cost of attendance at public colleges in the U.S, which is $28,840 in-state and $46,730 out-of-state.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Students at University of Colorado Boulder pay $15,889 for graduate school tuition if they live in Colorado, or $36,407 if they’re coming from another state. Graduate students are also required to pay $1,613 in fees for student services, including transit passes and mental health resources.

In comparison, the average cost of a two-year Master’s degree from a public university is $51,740, or $25,870 per year. Students may consider graduate loans alongside scholarships, grants, and teaching assistantships to pay for their degree.

Cost per Credit Hour

Undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder for 12 credit hours are considered full-time students and pay a flat rate for tuition based on their residency status. For students taking fewer than 12 credits in the 2023-2024 academic year, the cost per credit hour amounts to approximately $991 for in-state undergraduate students and $2,275 for out-of-state undergrads.

•  The cost per credit hour for undergraduates at the main campus in Tallahassee in 2024-25 is $215.55 for in-state students and $721.10 for out-of-state students.

•  The cost per credit hour for graduate students at the main campus in 2024-25 is $479.32 for in-state students and $1,110.72 for out-of-state students.

Tuition costs at Florida State have risen slowly over the past decade, and didn’t increase at all from 2023-24 to 2024-25.

Campus Housing Expenses

Freshmen are required to live on campus in one of CU Boulder’s 24 residence halls. The university also has two apartment style living halls. Some of the residence halls have eligibility requirements, such as being in a certain degree program or school.

Students may pay slightly less by living off campus, depending on the type of housing and number of roommates they have. The average price for a two-bedroom apartment in Boulder is approximately $2,379. Just keep in mind that you may need to sign a lease for a full year, not the academic year. CU Boulder maintains a university-affiliated resource to help students find off-campus housing.

Florida State University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2023

Boulder accepted 83% of applicants for the fall 2023 semester. Around 16% of the students who were accepted enrolled at the university.

Admission Requirements

CU Boulder handles undergraduate admission on a rolling basis for the fall and spring semesters, so students will receive a decision shortly after applying. CU Boulder applications for the fall 2025 semester are due by July 15, 2025, while applications for the spring 2026 semester are due November 15, 2025.

Here are the admission requirements and recommendations for first-year students:

Required:

•  High school or secondary school transcripts

•  Common Application personal essay

•  Essay on academic interest

•  Letter of recommendation

•  English proficiency test for international applicants

Recommended:

•  ACT and SAT scores

•  Resume or activities list

SAT and ACT Scores

Standardized test scores, including the ACT and SAT, are not required for first-year students to gain admission to CU Boulder. However, students may choose to submit their SAT and ACT scores for consideration with their application.

Only 20% of students self-reported their SAT scores, and just 8% self-reported their ACT scores for the 2023-2024 academic year. Here are the 25th and 75th percentile numbers by subject.

Popular Majors

CU Boulder offers more than 90 majors across a variety of departments and disciplines across seven colleges and schools. These are the 10 most popular degree programs.

1. Business Administration and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is the most popular major at CU Boulder. Students in this program specialize in one of five areas: accounting, finance, management and entrepreneurship, marketing, or real estate.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 1,201

2. Engineering

The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers more than a dozen engineering majors. Students may choose their own specialization, such as aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering, and combine their major with a minor or certificate.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 865

3. Psychology

Students who major in psychology can explore specialized topics in the field, including behavioral genetics, clinical psychology, child development, women’s health, and judgment and decision making.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 524

4. Computer Science

This major provides CU Boulder students with hands-on education in programming and operating systems. Computer science majors are required to also take courses in mathematics, humanities or social sciences, and natural sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 472

5. Strategic Communication

Majoring in strategic communication prepares students for a career in public relations, advertising, or media design. Students in this program have the opportunity to work on real-world, client-based projects with industry professionals as part of their coursework.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 411

6. Integrative Physiology

Students in this multidisciplinary program learn how humans and other organisms function, including anatomy and biochemistry. Integrative physiology is a popular major for premedical students because it includes required coursework for continued education and training in other areas of health and medicine. Integrative physiology majors have the opportunity to participate in independent research projects.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 345

7. Political Science

Political science majors take coursework in public policy, international relations, political theory, and other focus areas to develop critical thinking and communication skills. This major prepares them for careers in a variety of fields, including government, criminology, and journalism.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 258

8. Economics

Economics majors at CU Boulder explore how people, businesses, and governments choose to allocate their resources. In addition to theoretical coursework, students are also trained in quantitative and economic analysis.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 243

9. Environmental Studies

This interdisciplinary major combines coursework in sciences, policy, ethics, economics, writing, and math to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address major environmental problems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 194

10. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Undergrads in this major develop knowledge of biological processes in a chosen focus area, such as botany and biodiversity. Through their schooling, students are prepared for a variety of careers, including science education, conservation biology, resource management, environmental consulting, and law.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 173

Graduation Rate

More than half of CU Boulder students graduate in four years. Here is the graduation rate for students who began their studies at CU Boulder in 2017:

•  4 years: 58%

•  6 years: 75%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Students who graduate from CU Boulder earn a median salary of $69,738. This is slightly more than the average salary of $68,680 for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree.