Academic Comparison between CU Boulder and Colorado

University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. CU Boulder is a four-year, public school located in Boulder, CO and Colorado is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Colorado Springs, CO.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • CU Boulder is a public and Colorado is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Colorado has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,734) than CU Boulder ($42,970).
  • It is harder to admit to Colorado than CU Boulder.
  • Both CU Boulder and Colorado have the same submitted SAT scores (1,340).
  • Both CU Boulder and Colorado have the same submitted ACT scores (31).
  • CU Boulder has more students with 38,799 students while Colorado has 2,056 students.
  • Colorado has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while CU Boulder's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • CU Boulder has more full-time faculties with 1,616 faculties while Colorado has 225 full-time faculties.
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CU Boulder Colorado
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Colorado Bouldervs.Colorado College
Boulder, ColoradoLocationColorado Springs, Colorado
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$15,214
Out-Of-State$42,970
2025 Tuition & Fees$70,734
49%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$12,072Average Amount of Financial Aid$49,383
78.08 %Acceptance Rates18.47 %
14.15 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)30.28 %
1,340SAT Score1,340
31ACT Score31
74 %Graduation Rate88 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate9 %
90 %Retention Rate94 %
38,799Student Population2,056
1,616Number of Faculties225
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycare