Affordable College Tuition Options for Colorado Students
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  • Writer's pictureSawyer Earwood, CEP
    • Oct 18, 2021
    • 7 min read

Affordable College Tuition Options for Colorado Students

Updated: Mar 22, 2023


Most seniors are looking to put some distance between their home and college. Why wouldn't they? We market college as a time to start anew, learn new subjects, meet new people, experience new cultures, discover new careers, and ultimately begin a lifelong journey of independence. Despite the prevalence of all of those ideas, there is one ever-present hurdle for the common college applicant: finances. After all, how can you leave your state if you can't afford the out-of-state cost of attendance? What if your car isn't reliable enough to drive more than a few hours (not to mention the cost of a flight)? What if the cost of room and board is so prohibitive that you have to stay at home? All of this and more limit students' ability to leave their home and state to experience this college idea that propagates our culture.


But what if there were a way for a student to get a great education, out-of-state, for the equivalent cost of, or even less than, their state flagship? Well, Colorado students, you are in luck.


Don't get me wrong, Colorado has a number of phenomenal in-state colleges and universities, with many boasting nationally competitive rankings. If a student wanted to stay in-state, they would certainly have many options at their disposal. But this blog post isn't for the student who wants to stay in-state, rather this post is for:

  • Students facing financial barriers and looking for an affordable or best-value education.

  • Students looking to travel outside of Colorado for their college experience.

  • Students with strong academics who want to be rewarded for their work through financial aid.

  • Students who might not have a perfect academic record, but are looking for an accessible education.

Now, before we can dive into the college list, we need to establish our baseline. For the state of Colorado, the University of Colorado, Boulder is recognized as the flagship institution. Here is the school's information:


University of Colorado, Boulder


Location: Boulder, CO

Undergraduate Population: 30,300

Class Sizes: 57% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.58-4.0 GPA, 1230-1420 SAT, 28-33 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Engineering, Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Communication/Journalism.

In-State Cost of Tuition: $12,494

In-State Cost of Room & Board: $15,676

In-State Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $28,170


Now that we have our baseline, there are only a few more important pieces of information I want to note:

  1. This blog post is specifically for out-of-state opportunities for Colorado students, so there will not be Colorado colleges or universities listed below.

  2. This blog post focuses specifically on the cost of tuition, room, and board.

  3. The goal was to find colleges and universities that are not ultra-competitive in admissions. This list is meant to provide students at all academic levels a variety of options.

  4. This list did its best to try and make sure that all of these schools were relatively accessible from Colorado by either car or plane (Denver International Airport).

  5. This list does not include student activity fees or the expected cost for books, supplies, and travel.

  6. Lastly, and most importantly, many of the college tuition rates/discounts listed below are through programs that have specific requirements. Even for schools in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), students need to be sure to follow the "WUE Program Details" link or the "More Details" link for non-WUE schools. Some WUE institutions require students to study a specific major, or to meet certain admission criteria.

Sources:

Table of Contents:

 

The Evergreen State College


Location: Olympia, WA

Undergraduate Population: 1.,868

Class Sizes: 52% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.2 GPA, 973-1183 SAT, 20-21 ACT

Notable Programs: Environmental/Sustainability Studies, Native American/Indigenous Studies, Visual/Media Arts, Biology, Chemistry

Honors College: N/A

WUE Cost of Tuition: $10,719 (-$1,775)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $13,149 (-$2,527)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $23,868 (-$4,302)


Western Washington University


Location: Bellingham, WA

Undergraduate Population: 12,622

Class Sizes: 51% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.26-3.86 GPA, 1080-1270 SAT, 22-28 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Social Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Natural Resources/Conservation, Visual/Performing Arts.

Honors College: https://honors.wwu.edu/

WUE Cost of Tuition: $11,223 (-$1,271)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $13,080 (-$2,596)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $24, 303 (-$3,867)


University of Nevada, Reno


Location: Reno, NV

Undergraduate Population: 14,323

Class Sizes: 52% of class have between 10-39 students.

Academic Profile: 3.4 GPA, 1060-1260 GPA, 20-26 ACT

Notable Programs: Health/Wellness, Psychology, Biology/Biological Sciences, Marketing, Business/Commerce

WUE Cost of Tuition: $11,206 (-$1,288)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $10,360 (-$5,316)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $21,566 (-$6,604)


University of Nevada, Las Vegas


Location: Las Vegas, NV

Undergraduate Population: 19,843

Class Sizes: 54% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: GPA, 1030-1250 SAT, 19-25 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences, Health Professions, Homeland Security/Law Enforcement/Firefighting.

WUE Cost of Tuition: $10,901 (-$1,593)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $11,512 (-$4,164)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $22,413 (-$5,757)


Oregon State University


Location: Corvallis, OR

Undergraduate Population: 18,084

Class Sizes: 54% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: GPA, 1080-1310 SAT, 21-29 ACT

Notable Programs: Computer Science, Human Development/Family Sciences, Public Health, Psychology, Business, Forestry/Agricultural Science, Engineering.

WUE Cost of Tuition: $15,233 (+$2,739)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $13,860 (-$1,816)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $29,093 (+$923)


Portland State University


Location: Portland, OR

Undergraduate Population: 18,959

Class Sizes: 47% of classes have between 20-39 students.

Academic Profile: 3.47 GPA, 1000-1190 SAT, 17-24 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Social Science, Psychology, Health Professions, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

WUE Cost of Tuition: $12,707 (+$213)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $12,144 (-$3,532)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $24,851 (-$3,319)


University of New Mexico


Location: Albuquerque, NM

Undergraduate Population: 12,040

Class Sizes: 59% of classes have between 2-19 students.

Academic Profile: 3.44 GPA, 1030-1250 SAT, 17-25 ACT

Notable Programs: Latin American Studies, Native American Studies, Photography, Business, Anthropology, Education, Health Professions, Navajo Language.

Honors College: http://honors.unm.edu/

WUE Cost of Tuition: $10,110 (-$2,384)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $10,396 (-$5,280)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $20,506 (-$7,664)


New Mexico State University


Location: Las Cruces, NM

Undergraduate Population: 9,466

Class Sizes: 52% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.49 GPA, 950-1150 SAT, 17-23 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Commerce, Engineering, Chiropractic, Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice.

Honors College: https://honors.nmsu.edu/

WUE Cost of Tuition: $9,704 (-$2,790)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $11,407 (-$4,269)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $21,111 (-$7,059)


University of Utah


Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Undergraduate Population: 18,749

Class Sizes: 49% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.45-3.93 GPA, 1140-1350 SAT, 22-29 ACT

Notable Programs: Communications, Psychology, Economics, Nursing, Engineering, Business, Film/Media Arts, Ballet/Modern Dance

Honors College: https://honors.utah.edu/

WUE Cost of Tuition: $12,380 (-$114)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $13,914 (-$1,762)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $26,294 (-$1,876)


Weber State University


Location: Ogden, UT

Undergraduate Population: 12,042

Class Sizes: 56% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: N/A GPA, N/A SAT, 18-24 ACT

Notable Programs: Nursing, Computer Science, Clinical/Medical Lab Tech, Criminal Justice, Sales Operations.

WUE Cost of Tuition: $7,635 (-$4,859)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $11,092 (-$4,584)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $18,727 (-$9,443)


Northern Arizona University


Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Undergraduate Population: 25,228

Class Sizes: 53% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.64 GPA, 1040-1230 SAT, 19-25 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences.

Honors College: https://nau.edu/honors/

WUE Cost of Tuition: $15,975 (+$3,481)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $10,914 (-$4,762)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $26,889 (-$1,281)


California State University, Northridge


Location: Northridge, CA

Undergraduate Population: 34,916

Class Sizes: 61% of classes have between 20-39 students.

Academic Profile: 3.35 GPA, 900-1100 SAT, 16-22 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Education, Social Sciences, Communication/Journalism, English Language/Literature.

Honors College: N/A

WUE Cost of Tuition: $8,613 (-$3,881)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $7,074 (-$8,602)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $15,687 (-$12,483)


California State University, Sacramento


Location: Sacramento, CA

Undergraduate Population: 29,296

Class Sizes: 50% of classes have between 20-39 students.

Academic Profile: 3.42 GPA, 930-1130 SAT, 17-23 ACT

Notable Programs: Business/Management/Marketing, Social Sciences, Family/Consumer Sciences, Communication/Journalism, Engineering.

WUE Cost of Tuition: $8,613 (-$3,881)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $15,944 (+$268)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $24,557 (-$3,613)


California State University, San Marcos


Location: San Marcos, CA

Undergraduate Population: 15,040

Class Sizes: 54% of classes have between 20-39 students.

Academic Profile: 3.38 GPA, 950-1130 SAT, 17-22 ACT

Notable Programs: Social Sciences, Business/Marketing/Management, Health Professions, Psychology, Family/Consumer Sciences.

Honors College: N/A

WUE Cost of Tuition: $8,613 (-$3,881)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $13,150 (-$2,526)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $21,763 (-$6,407)


University of Central Arkansas


Location: Conway, AR

Undergraduate Population: 8,615

Class Sizes: 62% of classes of between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: GPA, 950-1150 SAT, 20-27 ACT

Notable Programs: Health Professions, Business/Management/Marketing, Education, Psychology, Visual/Performing Arts.

Honors College: https://uca.edu/honors/

UCA Out-of-State Tuition Fee Waiver: $9,188 (-$3,306) More Details: https://uca.edu/studentaccounts/fee-waivers/

Cost of Room & Board: $7,896 (-$7,780)

Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $17, 084 (-$11,086)


University of Memphis


Location: Memphis, TN

Undergraduate Population: 17,383

Class Sizes: 54% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.46 GPA, 990-1200 SAT, 19-26 ACT

Notable Programs: Business Administration/Management, Exercise Science/Kinesiology, Public Health, Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology.

Out-of-State Cost of Tuition: $16,512 (+$4,018)

Out-of-State Cost of Room & Board: $10,034 (-$5,642)

Out-of-State Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $26,546 (-$1,624)


Hendrix College


Location: Conway, AR

Undergraduate Population: 1,067

Class Sizes: 73% of classes have between 2-19 students.

Academic Profile: 3.8 GPA, 1252 SAT, 28 ACT

Notable Programs: Psychology, Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Economics & Business, Health Science.

Honors College: N/A

Tuition Advantage Tuition: $12,494 (+$0)

Cost of Room & Board: $13,200 (-$2,476)

Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $25,694 (-$2,476)


Oglethorpe University


Location: Atlanta, GA

Undergraduate Population: 1,452

Class Sizes: 86% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.69 GPA, 1100-1270 SAT, 22-28 ACT

Notable Programs: Business Administration, Psychology, Biology, Communication Studies, English.

Flagship 50 Cost of Tuition: $12,494 (+$0)

WUE Cost of Room & Board: $14,200 (-$1,476)

WUE Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $26,694 (-$1,476)


University of Maine


Location: Orono, ME

Undergraduate Population: 9,465

Class Sizes: 54% of classes have between 10-29 students.

Academic Profile: 3.36 GPA, 1030-1250 SAT, 21-27 ACT

Notable Programs: Business Management, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Kinesiology, Marine Science, Forestry, Earth/Climate Sciences, Nursing.

Flagship Scholars Tuition: $12,494 (+$0)

Cost of Room & Board: $11,574 (-$4,102)

Total Cost Before Financial Aid: $24,068 (-$4,102)



With all my support,

Sawyer Earwood

Independent College Counselor

Co-Founder of Virtual College Counselors




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