Colorado State University vs. University of Colorado Boulder
A side-by-side comparison of Colorado State and CU Boulder — acceptance rates (88.6% vs. 75.9%), tuition, financial aid, and majors, drawn from each school's official Common Data Set.
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Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Colorado State offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Colorado State is test-free — SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admissions.
SAT / ACT scores are not used
Colorado State does not review SAT or ACT scores for admission, even if you submit them. Applicants are evaluated on GPA, coursework, essays, and activities instead.
Class Rank
Where Colorado State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 59.9% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Colorado State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Colorado State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Colorado State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,339 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
CU Boulder offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
CU Boulder is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where CU Boulder's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 40% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. CU Boulder does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How CU Boulder weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from CU Boulder's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $30,142 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Colorado State vs. CU Boulder: frequently asked questions
Is Colorado State or CU Boulder harder to get into?＋
CU Boulder is more selective: it admits about 75.9% of applicants, compared with 88.6% at Colorado State. Both are competitive, and your odds depend on far more than the overall rate.
Is Colorado State or CU Boulder cheaper for out-of-state students?＋
Colorado State has the lower published price for out-of-state students — $36,113 in tuition and fees versus $44,748 at CU Boulder, a gap of about $8,635 a year before financial aid.
Does Colorado State or CU Boulder have a higher graduation rate?＋
CU Boulder graduates a higher share of its students within six years — 74% versus 68% at Colorado State.
Source: Colorado State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-11. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Colorado State. Banner photo by FarGah1, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Source: University of Colorado Boulder Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with CU Boulder. Banner photo by Laura Scudder (Laurascudder), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).