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University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Visit Website

The University of Colorado Boulder's campus sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the city of Boulder. The campus' distinctive Tuscan Vernacular Revival architectural style incorporates native sandstone. Students are known for their active outdoor lifestyle, balancing academics with activities like hiking and skiing. CU Boulder is a major research university, particularly noted for its aerospace engineering programs and connections to NASA.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$47,330/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

51/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$16,430/yr

Out-of-state: $41,943/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 15% of students receive Pell Grants and 24% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$11,251	$45,004	10.5x
$30K – $48K	$12,545	$50,180	9.4x
$48K – $75K	$17,204	$68,816	6.9x
$75K – $110K	$26,247	$104,988	4.5x
$110K+	$30,549	$122,196	3.9x
Sticker price (no aid)	$16,430	$65,720	7.2x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at University of Colorado Boulder

38 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Science Compare across schools	86	$77,385/yr	Very High	17.6x
Computer Engineering Compare across schools	83	$86,211/yr	Very High	15.4x
Business Administration Compare across schools	76	$56,014/yr	High	12.9x
Electrical Compare across schools	74	$88,957/yr	Very High	15.4x
Aerospace Compare across schools	73	$81,835/yr	High	14.7x
Chemical Engineering Compare across schools	72	$70,359/yr	High	16.5x
Economics Compare across schools	70	$51,521/yr	Very High	11.1x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools	69	$73,033/yr	High	11.9x
Biochemical Engineering Compare across schools	68	$70,668/yr	High	14.1x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools	68	$66,089/yr	Very High	13.0x
Architectural Engineering Compare across schools	66	$72,567/yr	High	12.8x
Environmental Health Engineering Compare across schools	63	$63,049/yr	Very High	11.9x
Mathematics Compare across schools	57	$41,176/yr	Very High	11.6x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	57	$39,954/yr	Very High	10.4x
Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools	53	$50,474/yr	High	9.5x
Physics Compare across schools	51	$41,874/yr	Very High	9.6x
Environmental Design Compare across schools	49	$42,401/yr	High	9.3x
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Compare across schools	48	$43,192/yr	High	8.7x
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Compare across schools	47	$46,263/yr	High	8.4x
Astronomy and Astrophysics Compare across schools	47	$45,066/yr	Very High	8.5x
Public Relations & Advertising Compare across schools	47	$42,218/yr	High	5.4x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	47	$39,738/yr	High	9.2x
Sociology Compare across schools	45	$37,958/yr	High	8.1x
History Compare across schools	43	$37,044/yr	High	6.4x
Journalism Compare across schools	43	$34,022/yr	Very High	10.5x
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools	42	$35,980/yr	High	9.6x
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Compare across schools	41	$33,926/yr	High	9.3x
Anthropology Compare across schools	40	$36,822/yr	High	6.6x
Ecology & Evolution Compare across schools	39	$37,184/yr	High	7.4x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	39	$30,176/yr	High	7.9x
Geography and Cartography Compare across schools	37	$32,078/yr	High	7.4x
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools	36	$30,747/yr	High	8.7x
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Compare across schools	31	$24,628/yr	High	8.7x
International/Global Studies Compare across schools	30	$33,892/yr	Moderate	7.4x
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools	26	$31,825/yr	Very High	4.9x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools	25	$32,142/yr	Moderate	2.8x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	23	$17,501/yr	Moderate	5.1x
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools	20	$22,601/yr	High	5.7x

Compare any program at University of Colorado Boulder with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →