Students at the University of Colorado Boulder achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university delivers strong financial outcomes across income levels, placing it among the top public universities for both overall and low-income student earnings.
The University of Colorado Boulder stands out as a selective public research university that consistently delivers strong financial outcomes for its graduates. While CU Boulder serves a more affluent student population than typical public universities—with only 15% of students receiving Pell Grants—it excels at converting that selectivity into meaningful career advantages. Graduates earn a median of $69,738 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the 87th percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
What makes CU Boulder particularly compelling is its ability to deliver earnings that exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $1,593 more than similar students at comparable institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the university's strong programs in high-demand fields like computer science, business, and engineering, combined with its extensive alumni network and employer relationships throughout Colorado and beyond.
As a large public research university in Boulder, CU combines academic prestige with practical career preparation. The institution falls into the "Selective Achievers" category—universities that maintain higher admission standards while delivering exceptional outcomes for the students they enroll. For families who can manage the higher net prices, CU Boulder offers a compelling combination of academic quality, career preparation, and long-term financial returns that rival many private institutions.
The University of Colorado Boulder's program portfolio reflects a balance between popular liberal arts fields and high-earning professional programs. Business Administration dominates with 1,080 graduates earning solid mid-career salaries of $54,671, making it both the most popular and highest aggregate-return program. This combination of scale and earnings makes business a cornerstone of CU Boulder's economic impact.
STEM programs deliver the strongest individual earnings outcomes. Computer Science graduates earn $75,921 early in their careers, representing some of the highest returns available at the university. With 446 graduates annually, the program provides substantial industry presence while maintaining excellent salary outcomes. Psychology, despite being the second-largest program with 485 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $32,162, illustrating how field choice significantly impacts financial outcomes.
The earnings range across programs—from Art History at $23,906 to Computer Science at $75,921—demonstrates CU Boulder's comprehensive academic offerings. Students interested in maximizing financial returns gravitate toward business, computer science, and engineering fields, while those in liberal arts and social sciences should expect more moderate but still competitive earnings supported by the university's strong alumni network and employer relationships.
The University of Colorado Boulder delivers strong long-term financial outcomes that place it among the top public universities nationally. Graduates earn a median of $69,738 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 87th percentile for earnings among public institutions. Perhaps more importantly, CU Boulder graduates earn about $1,593 more than similar students at comparable universities, demonstrating the institution's ability to add meaningful value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics alone.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly, reflecting CU Boulder's diverse academic portfolio. Business Administration, the university's largest program with 1,080 graduates, combines high enrollment with solid earnings of $54,671, making it a key economic engine for the school. Computer Science stands out with the highest early-career earnings at $75,921 among graduates, while Psychology, despite being popular with 485 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $32,162. This range illustrates how major choice significantly impacts financial outcomes at CU Boulder, with STEM and business fields typically delivering the strongest returns.
Affordability at the University of Colorado Boulder varies significantly by family income, with the university positioned as moderately expensive compared to other public institutions. Low-income students pay about $11,251 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a research university of this caliber. Middle-income families face higher costs at $17,204 per year, while high-income families pay $30,549 annually, reflecting the university's limited need-based aid for higher-earning households.
Debt levels at CU Boulder are manageable relative to graduate earnings, though they require careful planning. Typical graduates leave with $19,500 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the strong earning potential. However, Parent PLUS borrowing averages $38,610, which is substantially higher than many public universities and reflects the institution's higher overall costs. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, likely due to the strong employment outcomes and earnings that CU Boulder consistently delivers.
University Of Colorado Boulder Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
