University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
University of Colorado Boulder
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
83.3%
77.0%
Avg SAT Score
1,353
1,359
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1230 – 1420
1310 – 1480
Avg ACT Score
28
30
ACT Range (25th–75th)
28 – 33
27 – 31
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$21,480
$17,139
Tuition (In-State)
$16,430
$16,488
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$41,943
$36,402
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
14.8%
16.9%
Federal Loan Rate
24.4%
29.1%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$69,738
$69,020
Graduation Rate
74.9%
84.6%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
89.2%
90.9%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
31,578
30,469
Undergrad Enrollment
34,190
42,178
Type
Public
Public
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

University of Colorado Boulder

Academics
B+
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
B-

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Academics
A-
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
A-

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

University of Colorado Boulder and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is more selective with a 77.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Colorado Boulder's 83.3%. Average SAT scores are 1353 and 1359 respectively.

Cost: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers a lower average net price at $17,139, which is $4,341 less than University of Colorado Boulder ($21,480). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median salary of $69,738 ten years after enrollment, which is $718 more than University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates ($69,020).

Graduation: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with a 84.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 89.2% vs 90.9%.

Campus Size: University of Colorado Boulder is the larger campus with 31,578 total students, while University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has 30,469.

Bottom Line: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities wins on affordability while University of Colorado Boulder leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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