Colleges in Boulder, Colorado
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Boulder, Colorado (2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $27,263 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 60.9%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 100% of applicants.
The median net price in Boulder runs about $10,221 higher than the Colorado statewide median of $17,042.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Boulder, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$27,263
After aid
Median grad rate
60.9%
6-year
Median admission rate
100%
Median enrollment
4,422
Undergrad
All colleges in Boulder
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO | CO | Public, 4-year | $25,346 | 74.2% | 78% | 31,939 | Complete | |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder Boulder, CO | CO | Private for-profit, 2-year | $13,367 | 47.5% | Not available | 8,504 | Partial | |
| Naropa University Boulder, CO | CO | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,179 | 36.7% | 100% | 339 | Complete | |
| Dr. Ida Rolf Institute Boulder, CO | CO | Private nonprofit, <2-year | $35,373 | 100.0% | 100% | 12 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Boulder are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Naropa UniversityNet price: $29,179Grad: 36.7%
- Dr. Ida Rolf InstituteNet price: $35,373Grad: 100.0%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Boulder are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Colorado BoulderNet price: $25,346Grad: 74.2%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Boulder operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-BoulderNet price: $13,367Grad: 47.5%
Top programs in Boulder
Most-completed programs across Boulder colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Personal services20.8% of degrees
- Business13.5% of degrees
- Engineering11.0% of degrees
- Biological sciences8.8% of degrees
- Communication8.4% of degrees
- Psychology7.7% of degrees
- Social sciences7.0% of degrees
- Computer science5.1% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Boulder
Q.How many colleges are in Boulder, Colorado?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Boulder, Colorado that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Boulder?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Colorado Boulder is the largest institution in Boulder with roughly 31,939 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Boulder?
Based on average net price after aid, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder is the most affordable institution in Boulder at $13,367 per year.
Q.Which Boulder college has the highest graduation rate?
Dr. Ida Rolf Institute reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Boulder institutions at 100.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Boulder?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Boulder is $27,263 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Boulder?
Across Boulder colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Personal services, Business, Engineering.
Q.Are there community colleges in Boulder?
Yes — Boulder includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Colorado
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Boulder that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.