Full-Time MBA Estimated Costs
The following estimated graduate student budget is designed to give you a projection of your tuition and living expenses, based on two semesters (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 2026-2027 graduate professional business program tuition rates. Year 2 estimates subject to change. Year 2 costs will be based on 2027-28 rate sheets.
| Tuition and Required Student Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resident Year 1 | $42,455 | 3 semesters, 37 credits |
| Resident Year 2 | $20,952 | 2 semesters, 18 credits |
| Fees * | $2,112 | |
| Total | $65,519 | |
| Non-Resident Year 1 | $56,251 | 3 semesters, 37 credits |
| Non-Resident Year 2 ** | $20,952 | 2 semesters, 18 credits |
| Fees* | $2,112 | |
| Total | $79,315 | |
| International students Year 1 | $56,251 | 3 semesters, 37 credits |
| International students Year 2 | $27,684 | 2 semesters, 18 credits |
| Fees *** | $2,395 | |
| Total | $86,330 | |
* Resident and Non-Resident fees include a one-time enrollment fee of $62. These estimates are based on the tuition for 2026-2027 graduate professional business program rates, and are subject to change based on new tuition rates for the 2027-2028 academic year. All prices are shown in U.S. Dollars (USD). | ||
| Estimated 12-month Living Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Room & Board (assumed off-campus) | $18,684 | Rent, utilities, food |
| Books & Supplies | $1,200 | |
| Transportation (CO residents) | $1,314 | |
| Transportation (US resident, outside of Colorado) | $2,016 | |
| Medical | $8,136 | |
| Personal | $1,782 | Miscellaneous |
| Total | Colorado resident - $31,116 US Non-resident - $31,818 |
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.