Boulder, CO · Private University
Is University of Colorado Boulder Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,738
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,430
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,943
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$167,772
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.66x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
75.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,480
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn $24,738 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Colorado Boulder ranked by graduate earnings
291 graduates
43 graduates
41 graduates
78 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Colorado Boulder
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Colorado Boulder, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $104,284) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $25,072) is $79,212/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $104,284 | 2.5x |
| Computer Engineering | $96,333 | 2.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,146 | 2.2x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $92,144 | 2.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $91,412 | 2.2x |
| Biochemical Engineering | $83,236 | 2.0x |
| Architectural Engineering | $82,241 | 2.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,040 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,539 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $74,824 | 1.8x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $73,677 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $68,103 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $65,987 | 1.6x |
| Journalism | $62,737 | 1.5x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,304 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,121 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,211 | 1.3x |
| Geography and Cartography | $54,616 | 1.3x |
| Environmental Design | $52,694 | 1.3x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $51,989 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $51,637 | 1.2x |
| Sociology | $51,246 | 1.2x |
| Physics | $50,697 | 1.2x |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | $50,573 | 1.2x |
| International/Global Studies | $50,504 | 1.2x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $49,930 | 1.2x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $49,460 | 1.2x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $49,180 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,881 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other(1yr data) | $48,229 | 1.1x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $45,504 | 1.1x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $44,364 | 1.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $42,218 | 1.0x |
| History | $39,591 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,168 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,557 | 0.9x |
| Anthropology | $36,224 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,473 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $25,072 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | 1.66x | $69,738 | Good ROI |
| University of Utah | 2.25x | $67,170 | Strong ROI |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 1.90x | $69,020 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 1.57x | $63,742 | Good ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Colorado Boulder offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $69,738 10 years after starting — $24,738 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.