University of Colorado Boulder

www.colorado.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$13,510

2.88% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$26,231

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

78.1%

67,286 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

38,799

86% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

74.2%

4,895 Graduates

About

University of Colorado Boulder is a higher education institution located in Boulder County, CO. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at University of Colorado Boulder were General Business Administration & Management (1,147 degrees awarded), General Psychology (660 degrees), and Computer Science (386 degrees).

In 2024, 9,837 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Colorado Boulder. 47% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 53% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (6,407 degrees), 5.72 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,121 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of Colorado Boulder is $13,510, which is $−18,342 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

Photo by Ken Lund

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at University of Colorado Boulder is $13,510, which is $18,342 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $26,231.

In 2024, 49% of undergraduate students attending University of Colorado Boulder received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 25% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$13,510

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Colorado Boulder was $13,510. The cost of tuition at University of Colorado Boulder is $−18,342 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of Colorado Boulder (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$26,231

2024 Value

15.9%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 University of Colorado Boulder had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $26,231. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of University of Colorado Boulder grew by 15.9%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of Colorado Boulder (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,210

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of Colorado Boulder was of $16,210 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 3.55% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of Colorado Boulder (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

49%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

25%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

49% of undergraduate students at University of Colorado Boulder received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 49% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of Colorado Boulder (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

University of Colorado Boulder received 67,286 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 20% annual growth. Out of those 67,286 applicants, 52,539 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 78.1% acceptance rate.

There were 38,799 students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024. 18% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of Colorado Boulder has an overall enrollment yield of 14.1%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

78.1%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

52,539

Accepted Out of 67,286

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of Colorado Boulder was 78.1% (52,539 admissions from 67,286 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 83.3%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 20%, while admissions grew by 12.5%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of Colorado Boulder (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

18%

Submission Percentage (2024)

1,372

Scores Submitted (2024)

18% of enrolled first-time students at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of Colorado Boulder had a total enrollment of 38,799 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder is 33,359 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,440. This means that 86% of students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of Colorado Boulder, both undergraduate and graduate, is 64.7% White, 13% Hispanic or Latino, 6.51% Two or More Races, 6.12% Asian, 1.85% Black or African American, 0.219% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (35.7%), followed by White Female (31.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (6.89%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (27.4%), followed by White Female (26.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.43%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

86%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 38,799 students. The full-time enrollment at University of Colorado Boulder is 33,359 and the part-time enrollment is 5,440. This means that 86% of students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder are enrolled full-time compared with 78.1% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of Colorado Boulder (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

90%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of Colorado Boulder was 90%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), University of Colorado Boulder had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of Colorado Boulder (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
25,110 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
5,027 enrolled students
Two or More Races
2,527 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of Colorado Boulder is 64.7% White, 13% Hispanic or Latino, 6.51% Two or More Races, 6.12% Asian, 1.85% Black or African American, 0.219% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 45.5% White, 16.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 10% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 424 students (1.09%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 587 fewer women than men received degrees from University of Colorado Boulder. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of Colorado Boulder is white (6,407 degrees awarded). There were 5.72 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,121 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at University of Colorado Boulder is General Business Administration & Management (1,147 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (660 degrees) and Computer Science (386 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of Colorado Boulder, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Natural Resources & Conservation (292 degrees awarded), Engineering (1,716 degrees), and Physical Sciences (361 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Colorado Boulder are Software developers (550,894 people), Other managers (521,429 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (395,827 people), Civil engineers (321,700 people), and Mechanical engineers (226,355 people).

The most specialized majors at University of Colorado Boulder in 2024 are Natural Resources & Conservation (292 degrees awarded), Engineering (1,716 degrees), Physical Sciences (361 degrees), Communications (771 degrees), and Architecture and Related Services (137 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Colorado Boulder are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Podiatrists, Physicians, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at University of Colorado Boulder are Natural Resources & Conservation (292 degrees awarded), Engineering (1,716 degrees), Physical Sciences (361 degrees), Communications (771 degrees), and Architecture and Related Services (137 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Architectural, engineering & related services

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Colorado Boulder are Architectural, engineering & related services (658,627 people), Computer Systems Design (643,251 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (452,798 people), Construction (419,922 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (335,331 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of Colorado Boulder.

Most Common (2024)

General Business Administration & Management
1,147 degrees awarded
General Psychology
660 degrees awarded
Computer Science
386 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of Colorado Boulder was General Business Administration & Management with 1,147 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of Colorado Boulder according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

5,212

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

4,625

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 5,212 degrees were awarded to men at University of Colorado Boulder, which is 1.13 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,625).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of Colorado Boulder by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 818 degrees were awarded to men at University of Colorado Boulder in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.73 times more than the 472 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 506 degrees were awarded to men at University of Colorado Boulder in General Psychology, which is 2.91 times more than the 174 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

57%

100% Completion Time

75%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 57% of students graduating from University of Colorado Boulder completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 75% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 76% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (82.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at University of Colorado Boulder is Female and Asian (82.7% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.491% of graduates (24 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
6,407 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,121 degrees awarded
Asian
578 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of Colorado Boulder is white (6,407 degrees awarded). There were 5.72 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,121 degrees).

0.996% of degree recipients (98 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
3,342 degrees awarded
White Female
3,065 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Male
572 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of Colorado Boulder is white male (3,342 degrees awarded). There were 1.09 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (3,065 degrees).

Operations

In 2024, University of Colorado Boulder had a total salary expenditure of 2.13B. University of Colorado Boulder employs 568 Instructors, 515 Professors and 379 Associate professors. Most academics at University of Colorado Boulder are Male Professor (356), Female Instructor (286), and Male Instructor (282).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Colorado Boulder are: Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,411 employees, Management, with 1,175 employees, and Research with 927 employees.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$585M - Federal
$86.6M - State
$2.87M - Local

As of 2024, University of Colorado Boulder received $585M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $86.6M from state grants and contracts, and $2.87M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$952M

2024 Salaries

growth from 2023

In 2024, University of Colorado Boulder paid a median of $952M in salaries, which represents 44.8% of their overall expenditure ($2.13B) and a 0% growth from the previous year.

Instructional Salaries

$210M

Instructional Salaries

1,754

Number of Employees

In 2024, University of Colorado Boulder paid a total of $210M to 1,754 employees working as instructors, which represents 22.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.16M (2.17%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Colorado Boulder were Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,411 employees, Management with 1,175 employees, and Research with 927 employees.

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