CU-Boulder vs BYU–Provo
Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, University of Colorado Boulder and Brigham Young University stand as two distinct beacons of higher education. While both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. CU Boulder boasts a significantly higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while BYU maintains a strong emphasis on its religious affiliation, fostering a unique campus culture. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your academic journey. Discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and values, setting the stage for a transformative educational experience.
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![]() Brigham Young University |
![]() University of Colorado Boulder |
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Overview |
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Location | Provo, Utah | Boulder, Colorado |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Mormon | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 59.2% | 79.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1220 - 1440 | 1170 - 1390 |
ACT range | 26 - 32 | 25 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 20.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 76.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,608 | 54,756 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,870 | 43,576 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,413 | 6,785 |
Yield rate | 78.8% | 15.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $20,146 |
In state:
$29,725
Out of state:
$55,543
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Average net price | $13,432 | $22,532 |
Tuition | $6,120 |
In state:
$10,728
Out of state:
$36,546
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Room & board | $8,048 | $15,220 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
48.0%
Average amount $5,867 |
53.0%
Average amount $9,214 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
10.0%
Average amount $5,278 |
27.0%
Average amount $4,986 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $9,371 |
6.0%
Average amount $24,094 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
31,642
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
30,886
Men 54.8% Women 45.2% |
Graduate students |
3,169
Men 54.4% Women 45.6% |
8,114
Men 57.8% Women 42.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 48.8% |
International students | 3.6% | 7.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 7,073 | 7,500 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Colorado California Texas Illinois New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.8% | 74.0% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 8.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 15.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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