University of Colorado Boulder — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Colorado Boulder charges a net price of $25,346/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $101,384. Graduates earn a median $69,738 ten years after entry, $21,378/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.7 years — a 20-year net return of $326,176, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Colorado Boulder's 4.7-year payback ranks #386 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 70% of them, and #5 of 50 in Colorado.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,346/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $101,384 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $69,738 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $21,378/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $326,176 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Colorado Boulder's own numbers. Net price $25,346 × 4 years = $101,384 total. Median earnings $69,738 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $21,378 a year of premium. $101,384 ÷ $21,378 = 4.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $326,176. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $69,738 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Colorado Boulder students graduate?
74% finish their degree. Spread the $101,384 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $137,005 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Colorado Boulder expensive compared with other Colorado colleges?
Its $25,346 net price runs $8,879 above the $16,468 median across the 50 Colorado colleges we profile, or $35,514 more across the full degree.