CU Boulder vs URI: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Colorado Boulder and University of Rhode Island, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
CU Boulder vs URI at a glance
CU Boulder admits 78.1% of applicants and URI 72.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $23,708 at CU Boulder and $22,469 at URI. Six-year graduation rates are 74.3% and 72.3%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- CU Boulder admits 78.1% of applicants and URI 72.2%, so URI is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $23,708 a year at CU Boulder and $22,469 at URI; URI costs $1,239 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $13,403 at CU Boulder and $15,297 at URI.
- 74.3% of students graduate within six years at CU Boulder, against 72.3% at URI.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $77,574 for CU Boulder and $73,439 for URI; CU Boulder is $4,135 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $18,500 at CU Boulder and $20,500 at URI.
- CU Boulder enrolls 31,939 students (midsize city) and URI 13,381 (large suburb).
Side by side
CU Boulder and URI in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | CU Boulder | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 78.1% | 72.2% |
| Applicants | 54,756 | 25,105 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1240–1430 | 1020–1280 |
| ACT middle 50% | 29–33 | 25–30 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $23,708 | $22,469 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,513 | $17,476 |
| Tuition, out of state | $47,142 | $38,398 |
| Cost of attendance | $37,189 | $36,252 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $13,403 | $15,297 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,558 | $15,468 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,684 | $17,805 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,719 | $23,068 |
| Over $110,000 | $34,026 | $31,501 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 74.3% | 72.3% |
| First-year retention | 90.2% | 83.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $77,574 | $73,439 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $18,500 | $20,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $210 | $233 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 31,939 | 13,381 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Boulder, CO | Kingston, RI |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
CU Boulder reports 69 bachelor's programs and URI 77; 40 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about CU Boulder vs URI
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into CU Boulder or URI?
URI is harder to get into by acceptance rate: CU Boulder admits 78.1% of applicants and URI admits 72.2%. Middle 50% SAT scores: CU Boulder 1240–1430; URI 1020–1280.
Which is cheaper, CU Boulder or URI?
URI has the lower average net price after grants: $23,708 a year at CU Boulder against $22,469 at URI. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $13,403 and $15,297. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do CU Boulder or URI graduates earn more?
CU Boulder graduates earn more at the median: $77,574 ten years after entry for CU Boulder and $73,439 for URI. Median federal debt at graduation is $18,500 and $20,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, CU Boulder or URI?
CU Boulder does: 74.3% of CU Boulder students graduate within six years, against 72.3% at URI.
How big are CU Boulder and URI?
CU Boulder has 31,939 students in Boulder, CO and URI has 13,381 students in Kingston, RI.