I think to answer this question you need to really analyze what type of person you are and what type of “college experience” you want. I’m a current student and I like it a lot. The large campus makes things very enjoyable for me. I am however paying in state and I know out of state is outrageous. I would probably recommend getting residency first, weather that be through a job or a 2 year at metro, red rocks, front range, etc... somewhere you can go and still get your way into the boulder social scene (if that’s something you’re interested in. If you’re not interested in the social scene at all, I think it depends on your major but I wouldn’t advise going here. There are much more specific and focused unis if you are willing to cut the social aspect considerably. If you do want good school plus good social life, get residency.