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 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. View the full cost of attendance.

These estimates are based on the 2023-2024 graduate professional business program tuition rates. 

  Tuition and Required Student Fees  
Resident Year 1* $37,777 3 semesters, 37 credits
Resident Year 2 $18,378 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees  $3,728  
Total $59,883  
     
Non-Resident Year 1 * $50,337 3 semesters, 37 credits
Non-Resident Year 2 ** $18,378** 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees $3,728  
Total $72,443  
     
International students Year 1 *** $50,420 3 semesters, 37 credits
International students Year 2 $24,534 2 semesters, 18 credits
Fees *** $3,928  
Total $78,882  

* Resident and Non-Resident Students who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents pay a one-time entrance fee of $62 included in the cost of Year 1 tuition.
** US citizens and permanent residents can qualify for resident tuition in the second year of the program.

***International student tuition includes a one-time entrance fee of $185 for an Immigration Compliance Fee and a one-time entrance fee

These estimates are based on the tuition for 2023-2024 graduate professional business program rates and are subject to change based on new tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. All prices are shown in U.S. Dollars (USD).
Estimated 12-month Living Expenses    
Room & Board (assumed off-campus) $17,046 Rent, utilities, food
Books & Supplies 1,200  
Transportation 2,252  
Medical 3,150  
Personal 1,610

Miscellaneous
     
Total $25,258  

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. Tuition Classification

Scholarships

All applicants will automatically be considered for Leeds merit-based fellowship awards. Candidates may apply for other fellowship awards (Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, Diversity, NSHMBA University Partnership) by submitting the required additional information in the online application for admission.

Financial Aid

MBA students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply for financial aid in the form of graduate student loans. To apply, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online for the appropriate academic year as soon as possible.

Here are some useful links: https://studentaid.gov/ (to apply), https://www.colorado.edu/financialaid/apply-aid/special-circumstances (to appeal), https://www.colorado.edu/financialaid/types-aid/graduate-student-loans (loan info).

Additional Loan Sources

If scholarships and federal loan funding do not cover your annual budget including living expenses, private student loans may help you fill the gap. You may contact the CU-Boulder Office of Financial Aid for further private loan information. 

Contact Information

Office of Financial Aid   303-492-5091    colorado.edu/financialaid 

Bursar’s Office              303-492-5381    colorado.edu/bursar/

Residency                     303-492-0907    www.colorado.edu/registrar/students/state-residency