Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at University of Colorado Boulder, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 28% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 79th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CO wage index 1.14). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at University of Colorado Boulder
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $77,385 | $121,952 | +14% | #70 of 349 | #94 | $19,687 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $81,835 | $116,350 | +18% | #2 of 59 | #10 | $24,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $86,211 | $115,181 | +6% | #49 of 189 | #95 | $23,338 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $88,957 | $100,631 | +-0% | #97 of 258 | #205 | $19,221 |
| Chemical Engineering | $70,359 | $95,780 | -2% | #88 of 158 | #121 | $23,650 |
| Civil Engineering | $73,033 | $94,960 | +10% | #21 of 233 | #82 | $19,318 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,089 | $93,073 | +1% | #125 of 318 | #240 | $18,958 |
| Mathematics | $41,176 | $90,635 | +30% | #44 of 309 | #58 | $19,258 |
| Architectural Engineering | $72,567 | $89,797 | +0% | #7 of 16 | #13 | $14,500 |
| Biochemical Engineering | $70,668 | $89,262 | -6% | — | — | $15,516 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,014 | $86,441 | +27% | #73 of 1176 | #131 | $20,500 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $63,049 | $82,020 | +1% | #20 of 46 | #30 | $20,836 |
| Physics | $41,874 | $75,764 | -1% | #64 of 107 | #72 | $19,306 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $42,218 | $74,779 | +18% | #29 of 178 | #46 | $18,500 |
| Economics | $51,521 | $73,319 | -11% | #237 of 368 | #277 | $15,630 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | $45,066 | $72,698 | +6% | — | — | $21,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $48,229 | $72,306 | +30% | #17 of 207 | #22 | $23,913 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $35,980 | $71,942 | +15% | #16 of 67 | #16 | $20,547 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $33,926 | $71,444 | +15% | #13 of 64 | #15 | $19,483 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,954 | $69,651 | +10% | #124 of 565 | #185 | $18,742 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $43,192 | $68,579 | +3% | #17 of 35 | #20 | $15,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $50,474 | $68,488 | +5% | #39 of 110 | #63 | $18,487 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,738 | $66,623 | +18% | #79 of 660 | #112 | $16,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,747 | $63,337 | +15% | #45 of 265 | #66 | $19,750 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,628 | $62,119 | +5% | #62 of 215 | #139 | $15,303 |
| Environmental Design | $42,401 | $61,788 | +8% | #3 of 12 | #6 | $22,497 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $46,263 | $60,453 | +0% | #70 of 138 | #104 | $19,500 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $33,892 | $59,796 | +-0% | #36 of 87 | #47 | $17,340 |
| Sociology | $37,958 | $58,026 | +10% | #105 of 462 | #169 | $16,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $32,078 | $57,677 | +-0% | #60 of 117 | #85 | $16,500 |
| Journalism | $34,022 | $57,079 | +1% | #82 of 187 | #113 | $15,250 |
| Psychology | $30,176 | $56,867 | +12% | #174 of 1027 | #320 | $18,794 |
| Anthropology | $36,822 | $55,217 | +18% | #28 of 188 | #34 | $18,583 |
| English Language and Literature | $31,825 | $54,085 | +11% | #153 of 576 | #228 | $19,225 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $37,184 | $53,429 | +9% | #18 of 62 | #28 | $21,256 |
| History | $37,044 | $49,401 | -3% | #267 of 459 | #352 | $15,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,501 | $47,297 | +14% | #82 of 423 | #145 | $19,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,601 | $39,720 | -9% | #111 of 144 | #123 | $19,500 |
| Music | — | $38,701 | -10% | #210 of 268 | #222 | $15,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,142 | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
🏆 Where University of Colorado Boulder Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,910 | $40,297 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $37,684 | $63,197 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,251 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,545 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,204 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,247 |
| $110,001+ | $30,549 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from University of Colorado Boulder's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Colorado Boulder?
How much does it cost to attend University of Colorado Boulder?
What is the graduation rate at University of Colorado Boulder?
Is University of Colorado Boulder a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of Colorado Boulder?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to University of Colorado Boulder
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology