Full-Time MBA Estimated Costs

The following estimated graduate student budget is designed to give you a projection of your living expenses and is based on two semesters per year (fall and spring). The living expenses budget is prepared by the CU Boulder Office of Financial Aid for use by all graduate students.

Tuition and fees are just one part of the overall cost to attend CU Boulder. The estimated total cost of attendance for an academic year could include expenses such as books and supplies; and items that are not billed by the university, such as personal expenses, housing, groceries, transportation and medical insurance.

Click here to learn more about financing your Full-Time MBA.

These estimates are based on the 2025-2026 graduate professional business program tuition rates. 

 Tuition and Required Student Fees 
Resident Year 1$40,515 3 semesters, 37 credits
Resident Year 2$20,162 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees *$2,412  
Total$63,089  
   
Non-Resident Year 1$53,811 3 semesters, 37 credits
Non-Resident Year 2 **$20,162 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees*$2,412  
Total$76,385  
   
International students Year 1$53,811 3 semesters, 37 credits
International students Year 2$26,642 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees ***$2,695  
Total$83,148  

* Resident and Non-Resident fees include a one-time enrollment fee of $62.
** Assumes non-resident students establish residency in the first year.
*** International fees include a one-time $145 new student fee and immigration compliance fees ($40 per semester)

These estimates are based on the tuition for 2025-2026 graduate professional business program rates, and are subject to change based on new tuition rates for the 2026-2027 academic year. All prices are shown in U.S. Dollars (USD).

Estimated 12-month Living Expenses  
Room & Board (assumed off-campus)$18,656Rent, utilities, food
Books & Supplies$1,200 
Transportation (CO residents)$1,314 
Transportation (US resident, outside of Colorado)$2,016 
Medical$3,150 
Personal$1,728Miscellaneous
   
TotalColorado resident - $26,048
US Non-resident - $26,750
 

 

Colorado Residency

Tuition classification determines student residency for tuition purposes. Your initial tuition classification is determined from information you supply on your application for admission to the MBA Program. US citizens and Permanent Residents who are not initially Colorado residents can establish residency during the first year of the program. In doing so, you would qualify in-state tuition during the second year of the program. That is an advantage not offered by many public institutions, and will significantly increase the return on the investment for non-Colorado residents. Click here to learn more about Tuition Classification. If you have additional questions, you can email tuitclass@colorado.edu or call 303-492-6970.