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University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Florida

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% CU Boulder acceptance
23.0% UF acceptance
$66,280 UF cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

CU Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Public
Founded
1876
Enrollment
39,934
Setting
Suburban
UF
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Founded
1853
Enrollment
55,211
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $11,830
CU Boulder
$40,488
UF
$28,658
Acceptance Rate UF more selective
CU Boulder
80.0%
UF
23.0%
Graduation Rate UF higher
CU Boulder
74%
UF
90%
Avg SAT Score UF higher
CU Boulder
1290
UF
1390
Starting Salary UF higher
CU Boulder
$63,400
UF
$64,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric CU Boulder UF Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,488$28,658UF
Tuition (In-State)$13,590$6,380UF
Room & Board$16,390$11,650UF
Acceptance Rate80.0%23.0%UF
Graduation Rate74%90%UF
Average SAT12901390UF
Student-Faculty Ratio18:117:1UF
Enrollment39,93455,211-
Avg Financial Aid$13,200$12,860CU Boulder
Starting Salary$63,400$64,200UF
Endowment$2.2B$2.7BUF
Campus Size600 acres2,000 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

CU Boulder
$227,512
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: CU Boulder = $174,712 | UF = $109,792. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

CU Boulder Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessPsychologyBiologyIntegrative Physiology

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
CU BoulderSuburban
UFSuburban
Campus Size
CU Boulder600 ac
UF2,000 ac
Athletics
CU BoulderNCAA D1
UFNCAA D1
Region
CU BoulderWest
UFSouth
Founded
CU Boulder1876
UF1853
Enrollment
CU Boulder39,934
UF55,211

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is CU Boulder or UF harder to get into?+
UF is more selective with an acceptance rate of 23.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, CU Boulder or UF?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $227,512). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. CU Boulder offers an average of $13,200/year in aid while UF offers $12,860/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for CU Boulder and UF?+
The average SAT score at CU Boulder is 1290 and at UF it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do CU Boulder or UF graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UF have a higher average starting salary ($64,200 vs $63,400). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
CU Boulder has a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UF has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do CU Boulder and UF compare for campus life?+
CU Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado (suburban setting) with a 600-acre campus. UF is in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with 2,000 acres. CU Boulder competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UF in NCAA D1.