University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs University of Colorado Boulder

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and University of Colorado Boulder are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is more selective with a 77.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Colorado Boulder's 83.3%. Average SAT scores are 1359 and 1353 respectively.

Cost: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers a lower average net price at $17,139, which is $4,341 less than University of Colorado Boulder ($21,480). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median salary of $69,738 ten years after enrollment, which is $718 more than University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates ($69,020).

Graduation: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with a 84.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 90.9% vs 89.2%.

Campus Size: University of Colorado Boulder is the larger campus with 31,578 total students, while University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has 30,469.

Bottom Line: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities wins on affordability while University of Colorado Boulder leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.