University of Alabama vs University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder is more selective with an acceptance rate of 80.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.

At sticker price, Alabama costs less over 4 years ($178,000 vs $227,512). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Alabama offers an average of $13,100/year in aid while CU Boulder offers $13,200/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at Alabama is 1260 and at CU Boulder it is 1290. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.

Graduates of CU Boulder have a higher average starting salary ($63,400 vs $58,400). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.

Alabama has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while CU Boulder has 18:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.

Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (suburban setting) with a 1,168-acre campus. CU Boulder is in Boulder, Colorado (suburban setting) with 600 acres. Alabama competes in NCAA D1 athletics and CU Boulder in NCAA D1.