Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 74.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 75.0%
- Retention Rate
- 89.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $69,738
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 73.8%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $207/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | Master | $116,679 | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Doctoral | $97,071 | |
| Computer Science. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $93,342 | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Master | $89,641 | $41,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $83,177 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $80,503 | $41,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $75,921 | $19,687 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $75,706 | $41,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,204 | $23,338 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,957 | $19,221 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,255 | $24,500 |
| Engineering Physics. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $68,499 | |
| Architectural Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,324 | $14,500 |
Outcomes Overview
CU Boulder graduates earn a median of $69,738 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 28% with typical debt loads of $19,500. Monthly loan payments of $207 represent just 3% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The strong aerospace and environmental science programs feed into Colorado's thriving tech and energy sectors, while journalism graduates often land positions at major media outlets. Alumni like Trey Parker and Matt Stone demonstrate the creative opportunities available. With a 94% employment rate and earnings that outpace the national median, CU Boulder delivers a strong return on investment despite higher out-of-state costs.