by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a CU - Boulder degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how CU - Boulder measures up.
CU - Boulder is ranked #1,871 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Colorado, it ranks #29 of 49 for value.
These CU - Boulder majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Biochemical Engineering | #2 of 2 |
| Engineering | #2 of 2 |
| Ethnic Studies | #10 of 11 |
| Engineering & Applied Physics | #11 of 18 |
| Engineering Physics | #11 of 18 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #12 of 16 |
| Environmental Design & Architecture | #13 of 16 |
| Environmental Design | #13 of 16 |
| Architecture / Urban Planning | #13 of 16 |
| Architectural Engineering | #17 of 23 |
Below is the detailed CU - Boulder value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
University of Colorado Boulder is ranked #3 out of #53 in Colorado for quality and #29 out of #49 for Colorado value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the CU - Boulder financial aid page to be sure.
University of Colorado Boulder is ranked #1,871 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, University of Colorado Boulder is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at CU - Boulder costs about $31,515. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $126,060 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $37,684 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $25,346 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $31,515 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $126,060 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
There are many ways to lower the cost of a college education. Consider in-state tuition, transfer credits, or finishing your degree faster. Learn more about CU - Boulder net price and the factors that affect it.
What CU - Boulder costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a CU - Boulder degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $150,736 | — | — |
| All Students | $126,060 | #1,871 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $101,384 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $150,736 | — | — |
| All Students | $126,060 | #29 | D |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $101,384 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at CU - Boulder shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $11,251 |
| $30K–$48K | $12,545 |
| $48K–$75K | $17,204 |
| $75K–$110K | $26,247 |
| Over $110K | $30,549 |
About 50% of CU - Boulder undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $12,072 per year. Get more details on the CU - Boulder financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average CU - Boulder cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.