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College Comparison

University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Washington: 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 Washington

Seattle, WA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricCU BoulderUW Seattle
Acceptance Rate83.3%42.5%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1230–1420winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)28–33N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$41,943wins$41,997
Avg Net Price$21,480$13,485wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$69,738$78,466wins
Graduation Rate75.0%83.7%wins
Retention Rate89.2%94.9%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio19:1wins20:1
Total Enrollment31,57831,588wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UW Seattle edges out CU Boulder on 6 of 9 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

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1230–1420
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $41,943
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 19:1

UW Seattle Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 42.5%
  • Avg Net Price: $13,485
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $78,466
  • Graduation Rate: 83.7%

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