University of Colorado Boulder

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of Colorado Boulder was $10,728 a year for in-state students and $36,546 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 38,336 per year for tuition at University of Colorado Boulder.

University of Colorado Boulder: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of Colorado Boulder is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $10,728 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-Colorado residents can expect to pay 36,546 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Colorado colleges

Is University of Colorado Boulder's Tuition Different for International Students?

CU Boulder has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of Colorado Boulder usually pay around $38,336 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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University of Colorado Boulder Housing 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 CU Boulder.

Room and Board Costs at CU Boulder

Housing and campus dining at CU Boulder is $15,676 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at CU Boulder?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools 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 certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at CU Boulder

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At CU Boulder, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located 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 an urban area is sometimes expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of Colorado Boulder campus is in a suburban setting in Colorado, near Denver.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending University of Colorado Boulder

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to CU Boulder.

How Much Does CU Boulder Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$10,728
Out-of-State Tuition	$36,546
Room and Board	$15,676
Other expenses	$1,485

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 2022, 8,996 of the 30,936 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. CU Boulder meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $17,955 a year. Around 38% of CU Boulder undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. CU Boulder graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,761 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$15,783
Private Loans	$41,831

Most Common Loans for CU Boulder Students
Federal Loans	36%
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 CU 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 2022, CU Boulder awarded 7,153 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $93.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $49.51 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of Colorado Boulder Net Cost

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 CU 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 CU Boulder was $17,955 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of CU Boulder seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-5,083
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,804
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$38,690

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 CU 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 CU 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 CU Boulder Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for 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.

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Learn More About University of Colorado Boulder

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