Colorado State University vs. University of Colorado Boulder
A side-by-side comparison of Colorado State and CU Boulder — acceptance rates (88.6% vs. 70.7%), 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.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
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
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
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 41.3% 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.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
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
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
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Colorado State vs. CU Boulder: frequently asked questions
CU Boulder is more selective: it admits about 70.7% of applicants, compared with 88.6% at Colorado State. Both are competitive, and your odds depend on far more than the overall rate.
Colorado State has the lower published price for out-of-state students — $36,113 in tuition and fees versus $46,058 at CU Boulder, a gap of about $9,945 a year before financial aid.
CU Boulder graduates a higher share of its students within six years — 74% versus 68% at Colorado State.
Neither — about equally. Both Common Data Sets rate the application essay important, so the same draft does the same work in either application.
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 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-26. 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).