CU Data Made Simple

Strategic Metrics

The Strategic Metrics provide supporting data for the strategic planning process. Our strategic planning process resulted in the creation of four strategic pillars: (1) affordability and student success; (2) discovery and impact; (3) diversity, inclusion, equity and access; and (4) fiscal strength. Each of these pillars has several areas of focus, some of which are campus specific while others are system-wide. This plan will align all elements of governance (regents, system, and campuses), make the case for CU with the state, and shine light on areas of success and need alike. https://www.cu.edu/strategic-metrics

CU Fast Facts

This presentation includes a series of charts illustrating historical trends in enrollment, student diversity, state support, administrative expenditures, and research funding.  It also provides comparative data on tuition rates, state support, faculty salaries, degrees awarded, and student success measures.  This data is updated every year after the fall term.  Previous versions were titled Annual Indicators.

CU Budget Facts

CU Economic Impact

In FY 2022-23, the University of Colorado generated a total economic impact of $10.8 billion for the state of Colorado. When including our affiliates on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, including University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado, the combined total economic impact on Colorado was $17.2 billion. At CU campuses, funding from tuition, grants, contracts, gifts, and appropriations is turned around and spent, in large part, in private industry within Colorado.

Campus & Workplace Culture Survey

The University of Colorado system and campuses launched the Campus and Workplace Culture (CWC) Survey in the fall of 2021. The University of Colorado is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all members of our community feel respected, supported, and valued. The purpose of the Campus and Workplace Culture Survey is to gather information from CU students, staff, and faculty about their academic, workplace, and residential environments. 

The CWC Survey is a project managed by system offices of the System Diversity Officer (SDO) and Institutional Research (IR) in coordination with campuses.

• Background and FAQs: https://www.cu.edu/campus-and-workplace-culture-survey
• System Office Administration & Results: https://www.cu.edu/cwc-system

Answer Book

A fact book with information on CU history, governance, campus roles and missions, students, faculty and staff, research activity, cost of attendance, and finances. 

Student Headcount Enrollment, Fall 1999 to Present	Student Full-Time Equivalent (SFTE) Enrollment, FY 1994-95 to Present	Diversity Report, CU Diversity Report
Online Enrollment, Headcount and Credit Hours	Undergraduate Transfers, FY 2000-01 to Present	Degrees Awarded, FY 1994-95 to Present
Retention Rates Cohort of First-Time, Full-Time, Freshman	Graduation Rates Includes both First-Time, Full-Time and Transfer Rates	Pre-Collegiate Program Enrollment Includes participating K-12 students
CU Alumni Outcomes Employment outcomes analysis

Additional reports and data are available through the Office of Academic Affairs.  View the current and past Diversity Report and Pre-Collegiate Development Program (PCDP) Report.

Diversity Report, CU Diversity Report	Faculty & Staff Diversity and Peer Comparisons

Faculty and Staff Headcount

A count of full-time and part-time faculty and staff employed by each CU campus and system administration.  Data are consistent with those reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.  Data do not include student or other temporary employees.  This data is updated every year during the spring term.

Faculty and Staff Salaries

Database of CU employee salaries is updated annually. The information does not include temporary workers, student employees or part-time retirees and reflects a single point in time during the fall term.  The total number of rows should not be interpreted as an employee count. An employee with multiple appointments will be included for each appointment and is uniquely identified by ID. 

The database can be filtered by campus and school/college and sorted by ID, department, job family, job title, campus and salary level.

Go to online database or view pdf.

CU Diversity Report

The annual CU Diversity Report includes diversity data on students, faculty, and staff. The report includes faculty diversity by race/ethnicity and gender by rank and tenure status and staff diversity by race/ethnicity and gender diversity by occupational category.

Published CU Diversity Reports

How Does CU's Budget Work (video)	Cost Drivers at CU	Revenue Trends at CU

Annual Budget

• CU's budget is approved by the Board of Regents each spring.  Annual budgeted revenues and expenditures are presented for each CU campus.  This data is updated every year during the summer.

Budget Data Book

• The Budget Data Book is submitted annually to the Colorado Department of Higher Education.  It outlines appropriated revenues and expenditures of the CU campuses.  This data is updated every year during the fall term.

Sustainability Report

CU has a longstanding commitment to fostering sustainability systemwide as well as leading the state in such efforts. More than a decade ago, the CU Board of Regents passed a Sustainability Resolution directing the university president and chancellors to incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in construction projects wherever possible; develop comprehensive plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and incorporate the mandates of the Governor’s Climate Action Plan into each campus’ efforts to attain climate neutrality. Go to cu.edu/2021-sustainability.

Capital Assets

For data on age of campus buildings and buildings with maintenance backlogs, view the Annual Indicators presentation on this page (under General Facts).  For additional information on Capital Construction and Controlled Maintenance, visit the Capital Construction & Planning web page.

Affordability & Student Financial Aid	Student Financial Aid (video)	Student Financial Aid (data)

Cost of Attendance

Total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, housing, books, transportation and other expenses. Tuition and fee rates are approved by the Board of Regents each spring.  The following tables present the full-time cost of attendance at each CU campus by degree level, residency and school or college.  This data is updated every year during the summer.

Financial Assistance

Provides data on financial assistance awarded to CU students by campus and type of assistance (e.g. federal aid, state aid, institutional aid, scholarships, federal loans).  This data is updated every year during the fall term.

Affordability & Student Financial Aid

Even in times of uncertainty, a college education continues to be an investment worth making. On average, people with bachelor’s degrees earn $1.5 million dollars more over their working lives, experience lower unemployment and are healthier than those who do not graduate from college. Visit the following web page that outlines CU’s commitment to affordability, including how we keep tuition in check, continue to fund student aid, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and other factors that affect your investment in your future.

Go to cu.edu/affordability

About Institutional Research

The CU System Office of Institutional Research (IR) is responsible for providing data, research, and information to support CU System planning and decision-making. IR prepares materials, reports, and data tools for CU leadership, employees, and the general public. IR works in close collaboration with the institutional research offices on the CU campuses and other offices at the campus and system office. Should you have questions or comments, please email us at ir@cu.edu.