CU-Boulder vs University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV)
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, while in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) shines as a hub of innovation and opportunity. With acceptance rates of 81% and 73% respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body, fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. While CU Boulder boasts a higher graduation rate of 82% compared to UNLV's 59%, both institutions offer a wide range of popular majors, including Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into the specifics and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Colorado Boulder |
![]() University of Nevada-Las Vegas |
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Overview |
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Location | Boulder, Colorado | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.6% | 83.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1170 - 1390 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 54,756 | 13,025 |
Total number of admissions given out | 43,576 | 10,873 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 6,785 | 4,125 |
Yield rate | 15.6% | 37.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,725
Out of state:
$55,543
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In state:
$28,003
Out of state:
$44,094
|
Average net price | $22,532 | $13,030 |
Tuition |
In state:
$10,728
Out of state:
$36,546
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In state:
$7,949
Out of state:
$24,040
|
Room & board | $15,220 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,880
Meal plan:
$5,456
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $9,214 |
92.0%
Average amount $6,217 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
27.0%
Average amount $4,986 |
21.0%
Average amount $5,000 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $24,094 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,424 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
30,886
Men 54.8% Women 45.2% |
25,312
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
Graduate students |
8,114
Men 57.8% Women 42.2% |
5,367
Men 40.8% Women 59.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 48.8% | N/A |
International students | 7.1% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 7,500 | 2,850 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado California Texas Illinois New York | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.0% | 47.2% |
Dropout rate | 8.6% | 44.5% |
Transferred out | 15.9% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Hospitality Administration/Management (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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