University of Colorado Boulder

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at CU Boulder was $11,976 a year for in-state students and $40,320 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students pay way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of Colorado Boulder is $42,296 per year.

University of Colorado Boulder meets 74% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of Colorado Boulder full-time are awarded $19,404 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $29,719 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does University of Colorado Boulder Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of Colorado Boulder is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,976 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Colorado residents, out-of-state tuition is $40,320 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Colorado residents.

Choosing an insitution where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Colorado colleges

University of Colorado Boulder International Student Tuition

Tuition at CU Boulder is higher for international students than it is for out-of-state students.

International students at University of Colorado Boulder can expect to pay around $42,296 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or University of Colorado Boulder-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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University of Colorado Boulder Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Colorado Boulder.

Room and Board Costs at University of Colorado Boulder

Room and board at University of Colorado Boulder costs $17,590 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at University of Colorado Boulder?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At University of Colorado Boulder, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city may be costly, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of Colorado Boulder campus is located in a suburb in Colorado, near Denver.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at University of Colorado Boulder

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for University of Colorado Boulder.

How Much Does University of Colorado Boulder Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Colorado Boulder be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,976
Out-of-State Tuition	$40,320
Room and Board	$17,590
Other expenses	$1,610

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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University of Colorado Boulder Financial Aid

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In 2023, 8,907 of the 31,237 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Colorado Boulder meets 74% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $19,404 a year. Around 36% of University of Colorado Boulder undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Colorado Boulder graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $29,719 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,241
Private Loans	$49,019

Most Common Loans for University of Colorado Boulder Students
Federal Loans	34%
Private loans	9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Colorado Boulder financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Colorado Boulder

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of Colorado Boulder awarded 7,212 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $102.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $55.16 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of Colorado Boulder

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Colorado Boulder students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Colorado Boulder was $19,404 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Colorado Boulder seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-6,432
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-6,228
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$41,316

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of Colorado Boulder really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Colorado Boulder's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Colorado Boulder Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does University of Colorado Boulder Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of Colorado Boulder's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of Colorado Boulder's endowment was valued at $596 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, University of Colorado Boulder spends about $16,192 a year.

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Learn More About University of Colorado Boulder

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