University of Colorado Boulder's published cost of attendance reaches $33,466 annually, including $16,430 in-state tuition, $41,943 out-of-state tuition, $16,950 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $21,480 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,986 from the sticker price.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $33,466 |
| Tuition and Fees | $41,943 |
| Room and Board | $16,950 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,986 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $21,480 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $11,251 |
| $30–48k | $12,545 |
| $48–75k | $17,204 |
| $75–110k | $26,247 |
| $110k+ | $30,549 |
University of Colorado Boulder's published cost of attendance reaches $33,466 annually, including $16,430 in-state tuition, $41,943 out-of-state tuition, $16,950 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $21,480 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,986 from the sticker price. This net price positions University of Colorado Boulder $5,890 above the peer median of $15,590, indicating higher costs than similar institutions.
The cost structure heavily favors Colorado residents, with in-state students paying $25,513 less in tuition than out-of-state students. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $11,251 for lowest-income students to $30,549 for highest-income families. This $19,298 spread demonstrates progressive aid targeting, though even low-income students face meaningful costs.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
University of Colorado Boulder graduates carry median debt of $19,500, slightly below the peer median of $20,000, indicating controlled borrowing relative to similar institutions. Debt ranges from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $25,000 at the 75th percentile, showing variation in student borrowing patterns.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 indicates manageable debt burdens, with graduates earning approximately $3.58 for every dollar of debt. This ratio suggests sustainable repayment capacity for most graduates.
Parent PLUS borrowers carry median debt of $38,610 with monthly payments of $508, representing additional family financial obligations beyond student borrowing. The combination of moderate student debt and strong earnings creates favorable conditions for loan repayment, though families should consider total educational investment including parent borrowing when evaluating affordability.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
University of Colorado Boulder delivers $1,593 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 62.2nd percentile nationally and representing above average performance relative to student characteristics and program mix. Median earnings of $69,738 exceed the peer median by $9,195, demonstrating strong return on educational investment.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 indicates favorable leverage, with graduates earning sufficient income to manage debt obligations comfortably. However, the institution's net price of $21,480 exceeds peer institutions by $5,890, requiring families to invest more upfront for these outcomes.
The combination suggests University of Colorado Boulder provides good value for students who can afford the higher costs, particularly given the strong earnings performance and manageable debt levels. For Colorado residents especially, the in-state tuition advantage improves the value proposition significantly.
University of Colorado Boulder serves 14.8% Pell-eligible students, below the national average for public universities, indicating moderate enrollment of lower-income students. The $11,986 average financial aid savings demonstrates meaningful institutional support, though the final net price of $21,480 remains above peer institutions.
Aid appears concentrated toward lower-income students, with families earning under $30,000 receiving substantial subsidies that reduce their costs to $11,251. However, middle-income families face less generous aid packages, creating affordability challenges for those earning too much to qualify for need-based aid but insufficient income to comfortably afford the full cost.
The aid structure reflects typical public university patterns where the highest need students receive significant support while middle-income families bear greater cost burdens relative to their financial capacity.
