Mandatory Student Fees

Mandatory fees support student services, student activities, technology and need-based financial aid. Fees are charged per semester and are based on your college level (undergraduate or graduate) and the number of credit hours and classes in which you are enrolled.

Tuition, fee and on-campus housing rates for 2025–26 will be published by June 1 after they are approved by the Board of Regents and finalized by Budget, Fiscal and Planning.

Cost of Attendance: Tuition and fees are just one part of the overall cost to attend CU Boulder. The full cost of attendance for an academic year could include expenses such as on-campus housing and food, books and supplies, and items that are not billed by the university, such as personal expenses, transportation and medical insurance. Learn more about the full cost of attendance.

Fee Waivers for Graduate Assistants: Eligible graduate assistants receive a waiver for most fees as part of their compensation package. See Graduate Student Appointment Information.

Arts & Cultural Enrichment Fee

The Arts & Cultural Enrichment Fee supports visual and performing arts experiences for students, including in-person and virtual opportunities. Student-supported and approved by administration and Board of Regents in 1995. This fee is mandatory for all students except eligible graduate assistants who receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually.

$10 per semester

Athletic Fee (Undergraduates Only)

The Athletic Fee originated as Title IX funding for women's athletics and supports quality intercollegiate athletics programs and reduces student ticket prices. It was originally mandated by the Board of Regents in 1980 and eliminated for graduate and law students beginning in Fall 2018. The Athletic Fee is mandatory for undergraduate students. It is not charged in the summer. In Fall 2025, this fee will increase to $90 per semester for 4 or more credit hours, the first change to this fee since 1994.

$0 for 3 or fewer credit hours
$28.50 per semester for 4 or more credit hours

Career Services Fee

The Career Services Fee provides students with help deciding on a major, professional career counseling, skills presentations, video practice interviews, recommendation files, online listings of internship and career opportunities, on-campus and virtual interviewing, virtual career and internship fairs and other online resources. Appointments with career advisors can be scheduled via phone, email or Zoom. This fee was approved by the Board of Regents in 2001 and increased from $9 to $12 in Fall 2014 and from $12 to $14 in Fall 2024. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually. Learn more about Career Services. 

$14 per semester

This fee is mandatory for all students with the following exceptions

• This fee is not charged during summer term.
• Law JD students are not charged this fee; they are charged the Law Student SVCS/Activity Fee.
• Status D graduate students are not charged this fee.
• Eligible graduate assistants receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package.

Law Student SVCS/Activity Fee

Beginning in Fall 2023, the Law Graduation Fee will be combined with the Law Student Activity Fee under the name: Law Student SVCS/Activity Fee. One fee for $190 will cover the same services as the two separate fees did before. It will cover the costs of the graduation recognition ceremonies and receptions for students who have successfully completed a Colorado Law program. It supports various student organizations and activities, including competitions, journals, guest speakers, attendance at regional and national student organization meetings and other activities. The combined fee will be charged to all law students including professional masters. It is not included in the compensation package for eligible graduate assistants and therefore it is not waived. The use of fees is determined by the Colorado Law Student Fee Committee, which is led by and comprised mostly of students.

$190 per semester

Mental Health Resource Fee

Health and Wellness Services offers a range of services on campus to support CU Boulder students' health and well-being including six mental health sessions for this fee. Services are available online, over the phone, in person and virtually. This fee is mandatory for all students except eligible graduate assistants who receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package. Doctoral candidates, (graduate status D), are charged this fee only if they select a university-sponsored health insurance plan—either the Anthem Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or the BuffCare Supplemental Coverage Program. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually.

$107.40 per semester

Colorado Resident Undergraduates: The amount listed here is for tuition guarantee group T. Please see Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for your group's exact amount.

Recreation Center Expansion Fee

The full Recreation Center Expansion Fee of $106.96 is for the construction bonds and operation costs for expanded student recreation facilities. The base fee of $85.27 is for the construction bonds for the debt services portion of the fee. This fee was voted on and passed by the student body in 2011 to support the Recreation Center Expansion Renovation Project. The Rec Center Expansion Fee and the Student Activity Fee combined make up CUSG fees. Students paying full fees are members of the Rec Center and they can use the facilities at no additional cost. Students who pay partial or base fees can purchase a Rec Center membership that makes up the difference between the partial and full fee amounts. The Student Recreation Center houses state-of-the art cardio equipment, aerobic studio, indoor climbing wall, free-weight room, indoor and outdoor pools, an ice arena, indoor running track and much more. 

$85.27 per semester (base fees) for one class of 5 or fewer credit hours
$106.96 per semester (full fees) for more than one class or more than 5 hours

This fee is mandatory for all students with the following exceptions

• Status D graduate students are not charged for this fee.
• Eligible graduate assistants receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package.

Colorado Resident Undergraduates: The amount listed here is for tuition guarantee group T. Please see Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for your group's exact amount.

Student Activity Fee

The CU Boulder Student Government (CUSG) manages the Student Activity Fee which supports student activities (some of which are permanent) including but not limited to University Memorial Center facilities, student government operations, the E-Center, the Student Recreation Center, the Center for Student Involvement, the Cultural Events Board, the Volunteer Resource Center, Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations (assists students with finding available off-campus properties/roommates, advertising sublets, free lease reviews by an attorney, and landlord/tenant issues), and CU Schools and Colleges’ student governing boards. 

The Student Activity Fee and the Rec Center Expansion Fee combined make up CUSG fees. Students paying full fees are members of the Rec Center and they can use the facilities at no additional cost. Students who pay partial or base fees can purchase a Rec Center membership that makes up the difference between the partial and full fee amounts.

$48.01 per semester (base fee) for one class of 5 or fewer credit hours
$322.80 per semester (full fee) for more than one class or more than 5 hours

This fee is mandatory for all students with the following exceptions

• Status D graduate students are charged the base fee of $48.01 regardless of the number of credit hours.
• Eligible graduate assistants receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package.

Colorado Resident Undergraduates: The amount listed here is for tuition guarantee group T. Please see Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for your group's exact amount.

Student Computing Fee

The Student Computing Fee is allocated to the Office of Information Technology (OIT) for student-oriented IT services. It helps fund student access to and support for technology beyond basic IT infrastructure and services that foster connection, collaboration, learning and student success. This includes learning management systems, collaboration tools, technology-equipped learning spaces and labs, and Buff Portal, allowing for learning and engagement from anywhere in the world. This fee originated in 1990. It is student- and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs-supported, with approval from the Board of Regents. Beginning in Fall 2024, the Student Computing Fee of $67.24 will apply to students enrolled in any number of credit hours. This fee is mandatory for all students except eligible graduate assistants who receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually.

$67.24 per semester

Student Health Fee

The Student Health Fee partially supports the operations of Health and Wellness Services as well as campuswide public health efforts such as emergency planning, infection surveillance, immunization compliance and health education. This fee also provides access to all services at the health centers as well as free services including flu shots, injury screening and nutrition consultation. This fee is mandatory for all students except eligible graduate assistants who receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package. Doctoral candidates, (graduate status D), are charged this fee only if they select a university-sponsored health insurance plan—either the Anthem Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or the BuffCare Supplemental Coverage Program. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually.

$97.09 per semester

Colorado Resident Undergraduates: The amount listed here is for guarantee group T. Please see Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for your group's exact amount. 

Transit Pass Fee

The Transit Pass Fee allows students unlimited use of public transportation (see Bus Information and Updates and RTD College Pass Program) including light rail in Boulder County, Broomfield, Westminster and Denver by showing their Buff OneCard. It also includes service to Denver International Airport (DIA), see SkyRide Schedules. It does not include special services such as Broncos Ride and Rockies Ride. This fee is student-initiated and was approved by the Board of Regents in 1991. This fee includes the Bike Program Fee which provides bicycle services including bike registration and emergency repair, maintenance clinics, rental of Buff Bikes and more. The Transit Pass Fee is mandatory for all students except eligible graduate assistants who receive a waiver for this fee as part of their compensation package. This fee will be converted to tuition starting in Fall 2025 and will no longer be assessed individually.

$101.18 per semester

Colorado Resident Undergraduates: The amount listed here is for tuition guarantee group T. Please see Tuition & Fee Rate Sheets for your group's exact amount.