University of Colorado Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees, Aid, Housing, Payment Plan and Net Price Guide
āUniversity of Colorado tuitionā can mean CU Boulder, CU Denver, UCCS or CU Anschutz. Most searchers mean CU Boulder, so this guide gives the official CU Boulder 2026-2027 undergraduate numbers first, then adds campus comparison notes.
For CU Boulder Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, Colorado resident undergraduate tuition and fees start at $15,014 per year. Nonresident tuition and fees start at $46,058, and international tuition and fees start at $48,222.
The on-campus billed-style estimate with books and housing/food is $35,456ā$41,696 for Colorado residents, $66,500ā$70,608 for nonresidents, and $68,664ā$72,766 for international students, depending on tuition tier.
CU Boulder 2026-2027 Colorado resident undergraduate tuition and fees.
CU Boulder nonresident undergraduate tuition and fees.
CU Boulder on-campus housing and food estimate for Fall/Spring.
CU Boulder FAFSA school code for financial aid.
Quick answer: what should a CU Boulder student budget?
Use the correct tuition tier first. Base-rate Arts & Humanities, Education, Music, Open Option, Exploratory Studies and Social Sciences students have the lowest listed undergraduate rate.
| Student type | Lowest listed tuition/fees | Books | On-campus housing/food | Lowest listed total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado resident undergraduate | $15,014 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $35,456 |
| Nonresident undergraduate | $46,058 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $66,500 |
| International undergraduate | $48,222 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $68,664 |
University of Colorado tuition guide quick navigation
CU Boulder tuition and fees 2026-2027: official undergraduate cost tiers
CU Boulder uses tuition tiers because some programs cost more to deliver. The base-rate group is the lowest listed undergraduate cost; Business is listed as Tier 4.
| Tuition tier | Colorado resident tuition & fees | Resident total with books + on-campus housing/food | Nonresident tuition & fees | Nonresident total with books + on-campus housing/food | Common program examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate | $15,014 | $35,456 | $46,058 | $66,500 | Arts & Humanities, Education, Music, Open Option, Exploratory Studies, Social Sciences. |
| Tier 2 | $17,030 | $37,472 | $48,106 | $68,548 | Communication, Media, Design and Information. |
| Tier 3 | $19,070 | $39,512 | $49,798 | $70,240 | Engineering, Natural Sciences, and some partnership cases. |
| Tier 4 | $21,254 | $41,696 | $50,166 | $70,608 | Business. |
Open CU Boulder Undergraduate Cost
CU Boulder international undergraduate tuition 2026-2027
International students use a separate tuition table. CU Boulder also notes that a one-time new international student fee and immigration compliance fee are not included in the main cost table.
| Tuition tier | International tuition & fees | Books | On-campus housing/food | Total shown by CU Boulder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate | $48,222 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $68,664 |
| Tier 2 | $50,154 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $70,596 |
| Tier 3 | $51,834 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $72,276 |
| Tier 4 | $52,324 | $1,200 | $19,242 | $72,766 |
Popular University of Colorado tuition searches answered fast
These short answers match the actual questions students and parents usually search.
University of Colorado tuition
For CU Boulder 2026-2027, Colorado resident undergraduate tuition and fees start at $15,014; nonresident starts at $46,058.
CU Boulder in-state tuition
$15,014ā$21,254 per year for 2026-2027 undergraduate tuition and fees, depending on tuition tier.
CU Boulder out-of-state tuition
$46,058ā$50,166 per year for 2026-2027 undergraduate tuition and fees, depending on tier.
CU Boulder tuition with room and board
Resident on-campus totals range from $35,456ā$41,696; nonresident totals range from $66,500ā$70,608.
CU Boulder room and board
Undergraduate on-campus housing and food is $9,621 per semester or $19,242 per year.
CU Boulder international tuition
International undergraduate tuition and fees range from $48,222ā$52,324 per year before housing, food and books.
CU Boulder FAFSA code
Use FAFSA school code 001370.
CU Boulder payment plan
Fall 2026 has 5-, 4-, 3- and 2-payment options depending on enrollment date.
CU Boulder health insurance
Anthem SHIP is listed at $2,648 per semester; BuffCare is $270 per semester.
CU Denver tuition comparison
CU Denver 2026-2027 undergraduate resident tuition after COF is listed at $10,008 before general fees and living costs.
University of Colorado campus comparison: Boulder, Denver, UCCS and Anschutz
If your search means the University of Colorado system, do not use one campus price for every campus. Tuition and cost rules vary by campus and program.
| Campus | What to know | Useful official detail | Best page to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU Boulder | Flagship undergraduate campus; most āUniversity of Colorado tuitionā searches point here. | Resident tuition/fees start at $15,014; nonresident starts at $46,058 for 2026-2027. | CU Boulder undergraduate cost |
| CU Denver | Urban Denver campus; tuition varies by college and residency. | 2026-2027 resident tuition after COF is listed at $10,008, plus general fees and living costs in the COA table. | CU Denver cost of attendance |
| UCCS | Colorado Springs campus; lower-division, upper-division and college/program rates can differ. | UCCS says WUE students pay 150% of the in-state tuition rate and lists WUE tuition/fees at $24,174 for 15 credit hours. | UCCS WUE cost |
| CU Anschutz | Health sciences campus; mostly program-specific tuition. | Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dental and graduate program costs use separate tables. | CU Anschutz tuition and fees |
Colorado resident vs nonresident tuition: why the price changes so much
Residency classification is the biggest tuition driver for undergraduate students. Colorado resident students also need to complete College Opportunity Fund steps when eligible.
| Residency type | Lowest listed tuition/fees | Highest listed tuition/fees | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado resident | $15,014 | $21,254 | Residency classification, COF application, COF authorization, tuition tier. |
| Nonresident | $46,058 | $50,166 | Flat-rate tuition guarantee, tuition tier, scholarships, payment plan. |
| International | $48,222 | $52,324 | International fee, immigration compliance fee, health insurance, I-20 funding estimate. |
CU Boulder tuition guarantee: what it means for 2026 students
CU Boulderās undergraduate tuition guarantee is designed to make tuition more predictable across four years.
CU Boulder says resident undergraduates are placed in a cohort with the same tuition and mandatory fee schedule for four consecutive years.
CU Boulder offers a four-year flat-rate tuition guarantee for nonresident and international undergraduates.
Families can plan future tuition more confidently, but housing, food, insurance and other costs may still change.
Dual-degree students may be charged the higher tuition rate, and transfer/partnership situations can have different rules.
CU Boulder housing and food 2026-2027: what to add to tuition
Housing and food can change your real cost as much as tuition tier. CU Boulderās on-campus figure is based on a standard double room and 19 meals per week.
| Living situation | Per semester | Per year | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate on-campus housing and food | $9,621 | $19,242 | Based on standard double room and 19 meals per week. |
| Undergraduate off-campus housing and food | $9,270 | $18,540 | Estimate for off-campus living; actual rent can vary widely. |
| Undergraduate living with parents | $5,890 | $11,780 | Lower living-cost estimate for commuter-style budgeting. |
Other CU Boulder room options listed per semester
Bunked roommates + community bath
$8,280 per semester with 19 meals per week.
Standard double + community bath
$9,621 per semester with 19 meals per week.
Individual space + community bath
$10,626 per semester with 19 meals per week.
Roommate(s) + apartment
$10,929 per semester with 19 meals per week.
Financial aid, FAFSA, COF and scholarships at CU Boulder
The billed cost is not always the final family cost. CU Boulder students should check FAFSA, scholarships, College Opportunity Fund, loans, work-study, payment plan and direct deposit.
Use CU Boulderās school code on the FAFSA.
Most CU Boulder Scholarship Application opportunities have a March 15 due date.
2026-2027 COF stipend amount for eligible Colorado resident undergraduates.
Use Buff Portal for student bill, aid tasks, payer setup and payment plan steps.
| Aid or cost item | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA | Needed for federal aid and many financial aid reviews. | Use CU Boulder school code 001370. |
| CU Boulder Scholarship Application | Most scholarships inside the application use a March 15 deadline. | Apply early and check transfer deadlines separately. |
| College Opportunity Fund | Reduces eligible Colorado resident undergraduate tuition share. | Apply and authorize COF; do not assume it is automatic. |
| Federal loans | Students are considered for Direct Loans after FAFSA if enrolled at least half-time. | Review loan amount before accepting; borrow only what is needed. |
| Parent PLUS changes | Federal borrowing rules changed for first-time borrowers after July 1, 2026. | Families should verify annual and aggregate limits before relying on PLUS loans. |
| Refunds | Aid refunds can happen after overpayment, aid disbursement or schedule changes. | Set up direct deposit for faster refund access. |
CU Boulder health insurance: hidden cost students should check
CU Boulder requires students to have a complete medical insurance policy. Students must complete the health insurance requirement at the beginning of every academic year.
| Item | Cost / deadline | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem Student Health Insurance Plan | $2,648 per semester | Waive by deadline if you have qualifying private insurance. |
| BuffCare Supplemental Coverage | $270 per semester | Optional supplemental coverage for some students with private insurance. |
| Fall 2026 open enrollment deadline | Sept. 1, 2026 | Complete insurance selection before deadline. |
| Fall 2026 tuition/fee bill deadline | Sept. 5, 2026 | If not waived, SHIP can appear on tuition bill and be due with balance. |
Open CU Boulder Health Insurance
How to pay University of Colorado Boulder tuition: Buff Portal, CUBill&Pay and payment plans
CU Boulder bills online. Students use Buff Portal; authorized payers use CUBill&Pay. Parents do not automatically get access unless the student authorizes them.
| Enrollment opens | Deadline to enroll | Number of payments | Payment processing dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5 | Aug. 4 | 5 | Aug. 5, Sept. 5, Oct. 5, Nov. 5, Dec. 5 |
| June 5 | Sept. 4 | 4 | Sept. 5, Oct. 5, Nov. 5, Dec. 5 |
| Sept. 9 | Oct. 4 | 3 | Oct. 5, Nov. 5, Dec. 5 |
| Oct. 9 | Nov. 4 | 2 | Nov. 5, Dec. 5 |
CU Boulder Fall 2026 billing dates students should not miss
CU Boulder says payment is due by 11:59 p.m. and postmarks or post-dated checks are not honored. There is no grace period.
| Payment due | Bill activity covered | Bill date | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5, 2026 | On or before Aug. 11, 2026 | Late Aug. 13, 2026 | Pay full balance or be enrolled in payment plan. |
| Oct. 5, 2026 | Aug. 12āSept. 8, 2026 | Sept. 10, 2026 | Pay new/unpaid charges. |
| Nov. 5, 2026 | Sept. 9āOct. 13, 2026 | Oct. 15, 2026 | Check added fees, schedule changes or insurance. |
| Dec. 5, 2026 | Oct. 14āNov. 10, 2026 | Nov. 12, 2026 | Clear remaining fall balance. |
Before choosing a University of Colorado campus: cost checklist by student type
Check residency, COF application, COF authorization, tuition tier, scholarship deadline, payment plan and health insurance waiver.
Compare CU Boulderās nonresident total with CU Denver, UCCS WUE, scholarships and housing. Nonresident tuition is the biggest cost driver.
Add international fee, immigration compliance fee, health insurance, travel, visa-related costs and living expenses beyond the tuition table.
Ask the student to add you as an authorized payer. CU Boulder does not automatically give parents bill access.
University of Colorado Boulder tuition contacts, address and map
Use the Bursar for billing and payment. Use Financial Aid for FAFSA, aid offers, loans, scholarships and cost-of-attendance questions.
Best for: tuition bill, payment plan, CUBill&Pay, refunds, billing dates, housing/food charges, insurance billing.
Email: bursar@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-492-5381
Front desk: Regent Administrative Center, room 175.
Best for: FAFSA, aid offers, loans, scholarship application, special circumstances and net price.
FAFSA code: 001370
Scholarship application: many opportunities due March 15.
CU Boulder campus map
University of Colorado tuition checklist before paying
FAQs about University of Colorado tuition 2026
How much is University of Colorado tuition in 2026-2027?
For CU Boulder, Colorado resident undergraduate tuition and fees range from $15,014 to $21,254. Nonresident tuition and fees range from $46,058 to $50,166.
What is CU Boulder in-state tuition?
CU Boulder 2026-2027 in-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $15,014 for base-rate programs, $17,030 for Tier 2, $19,070 for Tier 3, and $21,254 for Tier 4.
What is CU Boulder out-of-state tuition?
CU Boulder 2026-2027 nonresident undergraduate tuition and fees are $46,058 for base-rate programs, $48,106 for Tier 2, $49,798 for Tier 3, and $50,166 for Tier 4.
How much is CU Boulder tuition with room and board?
CU Boulderās 2026-2027 resident on-campus totals range from $35,456 to $41,696 depending on tuition tier. Nonresident totals range from $66,500 to $70,608.
What is CU Boulder room and board?
CU Boulder lists undergraduate on-campus housing and food at $9,621 per semester or $19,242 per year for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
What is CU Boulder international tuition?
CU Boulder 2026-2027 international undergraduate tuition and fees range from $48,222 to $52,324 depending on tuition tier.
Does CU Boulder have a tuition guarantee?
Yes. CU Boulder provides a tuition guarantee for undergraduate students. Resident cohorts receive predictable tuition and mandatory fees for four consecutive years, while nonresident and international students have a flat-rate tuition guarantee.
What is CU Boulderās FAFSA code?
CU Boulderās FAFSA school code is 001370.
Can CU Boulder tuition be paid monthly?
Yes. CU Boulder offers interest-free payment plans. Fall 2026 payment plans can have 5, 4, 3 or 2 payments depending on enrollment timing.
What is CU Boulder health insurance cost?
For 2026-2027, CU Boulder lists Anthem Student Health Insurance Plan at $2,648 per semester and BuffCare Supplemental Coverage at $270 per semester.