Boulder, CO · Public

University of Colorado Boulder Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

University of Colorado Boulder cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Competitive value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$37,684
Net Price$25,346
Median Earnings$69,738
Graduation Rate74.2%
Median Debt$13,000
Admission Rate78.1%
Student Count31,939
SAT Average1,357

University of Colorado Boulder Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $25,346
Money available $0
Still needed per year $25,346
Monthly gap $2,112

Four-year projection: about $101,384 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $13,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$69,738Total cost$37,684Net price$25,346Median debt$13,000

Value Score Comparison

University of Colorado ...64.6Dataset avg54.3CO avg54.5
Median earnings25% better than dataset average
$69,738
Total annual cost13% better than dataset average
$37,684
Average net price18% weaker than dataset average
$25,346
Graduation rate17.4 percentage points better than dataset average
74.2%
Median debt20% better than dataset average
$13,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

CO Average

Value Score: 54.5

Net Price: $21,318

Earnings: $57,292

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $25,346, compared with reported total cost of $37,684.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $69,738 and the graduation rate is 74.2%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $13,000, while the loan share is 24.8%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 78.1% and Pell Grant share is 14.5%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationBoulder, CO
Admission Rate78.1%
In-State Tuition$15,666
Out-of-State Tuition$44,918
Total Cost$37,684
Net Price$25,346
Median Earnings$69,738
Graduation Rate74.2%
Median Debt$13,000
Pell Grant Share14.5%
Loan Share24.8%
Average Faculty Salary$13,324
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 27.9 + graduation 18.5 + net price 6.6 + total cost 5.3 + debt 6.3 = 64.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings27.9$69,738 · max 40 pts
Graduation18.574.2% · max 25 pts
Net Price6.6$25,346 · max 15 pts
Total Cost5.3$37,684 · max 10 pts
Debt6.3$13,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.