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College Comparison

University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Minnesota: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

School

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricCU BoulderU of Minnesota
Acceptance Rate83.3%77.0%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1230–14201310–1480wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)28–33wins27–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$41,943$36,402wins
Avg Net Price$21,480$17,139wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$69,738wins$69,020
Graduation Rate75.0%84.8%wins
Retention Rate89.2%90.9%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio19:116:1wins
Total Enrollment31,578wins30,469

Verdict

Based on the data above, U of Minnesota edges out CU Boulder on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

CU Boulder Strengths

  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 28–33
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $69,738
  • Total Enrollment: 31,578

U of Minnesota Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 77.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1310–1480
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $36,402
  • Avg Net Price: $17,139

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