#320 in the world · QS 2027

University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado's flagship at the foot of the Flatirons, with five Nobel laureates and top-ten aerospace engineering among publics.

Boulder, Colorado, United States Public research university Founded 1876 Official website

See my chances at CU Boulder Admissions office

Photo: Casey A. Cass / University of Colorado (cuboulder on Flickr) · CC0

Acceptance rate: 71%; First-years who entered in fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
Students: 41,165; 34,101 undergraduates
International: 6%; of students
Student–faculty: 19.5:1; ratio
Tuition: $48,222; From · 2026-27

About CU Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder was founded in 1876 and is the flagship of the University of Colorado system, set on a sandstone-and-red-tile campus at the foot of the Flatirons in Boulder. In fall 2025 it enrolled 41,165 students, 34,101 of them undergraduates. The College of Arts and Sciences is by far the largest unit, alongside the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the Leeds School of Business, the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information, the College of Music, the School of Education, the Program in Environmental Design and the Law School.

CU Boulder is known above all for physics, space and earth sciences. It counts five Nobel laureates, four in physics and one in chemistry, runs the CU Boulder-NIST joint institute JILA and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), and describes itself as the top public university for NASA research funding. U.S. News' 2027 edition places its undergraduate aerospace engineering sixth among public universities, and 18 astronauts are affiliated with the university.

Admission is broadly accessible: 51,716 of 73,180 first-year applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (70.7%), and SAT or ACT scores are optional. It suits students who want a large research university with serious science and engineering, strong outdoor culture and a college-town setting next to the Rocky Mountains.

Λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν

“Let your light shine” — university motto

Why students choose CU Boulder

Research access in physics and space science: JILA (with NIST) and LASP are on campus, and five CU Boulder faculty have won Nobel Prizes.

Undergraduate aerospace engineering ranks No. 6 among public universities in U.S. News' 2027 edition, with environmental engineering No. 7 and civil engineering No. 10 among publics.

The CU Boulder Tuition Guarantee fixes undergraduate tuition for four years from your first term.

The campus sits against the Flatirons, and CU was the first university to earn a STARS Gold sustainability rating and runs the first zero-waste Division I stadium.

Admissions

First-years who entered in fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)

51,716 admitted from 73,180 applicants

SAT 1130–1370

1000120014001600

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

ACT 27–32

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

By residency in fall 2025: 14,650 of 18,030 Colorado applicants admitted (81%), 37,065 of 54,968 out-of-state applicants (67%) and 2,378 of 3,121 international applicants (76%). 7,397 first-years enrolled.

Testing Test-optional: SAT and ACT scores are not required for first-year applicants, but you may self-report them. Only 27% of fall 2025 enrollees submitted SAT scores and 6% ACT scores.

Grades Average high school GPA of fall 2025 first-years was 3.77. Rigor of secondary school record and academic GPA are rated very important. Colorado residents with weighted GPAs of 3.8 to 4.0+ qualify for automatic merit scholarships.

Deadlines

Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 40 days

November 15, 2026

Non-binding and not restrictive. Complete applications receive a decision by February 1.
Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 months

January 15, 2027

Decisions by April 1. Music applicants hear after their audition.

CU Boulder's first-year apply page lists Nov. 15 (early action) and Jan. 15 (regular decision) for fall entry without a year; the application for fall 2027 is open. There is no Early Decision plan.

How to apply

Common App; application fee $65 (domestic) or $70 (international), waivers available; Common App personal essay (250-650 words); one required CU short answer of up to 250 words on what you hope to study and why; one letter of recommendation; unofficial transcripts accepted for review; optional SAT/ACT; College of Music applicants also need a music application, reference and audition.

What admissions looks for

Rigor of your high school record and your academic GPA, both rated very important in the Common Data Set.
A clear answer to why you want to study your intended field at CU Boulder, which the required short answer asks for.
A recommendation that speaks to your preparation and character.
For international students, demonstrated English proficiency (or entry through the Pathway to CU Program).

Tips for applying to CU Boulder

1 Apply by November 15 for early action: it is non-binding, not restrictive, and gets you a decision by February 1.
2 Use the 250-word short answer to be specific about a CU major, lab or programme; it must be different from your Common App essay.
3 International applicants should send English scores with the application if they want to be considered for first-year scholarships.
4 After applying, complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application, which opens December 1, and file the FAFSA from October 1 for fall 2027.
5 Check the tuition tier for your intended major: Business and Engineering/Natural Sciences cost more per year than the base rate.

What are your chances?

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

Colorado residents, tuition and mandatory fees by tier (base $15,014; CMDI $17,030; Engineering and Natural Sciences $19,070; Business $21,254), fixed for four years Tuition $15,014 – $21,254

+ on-campus housing and meal plan (standard double room, 19 meals a week) $19,242 ≈ from $34,256 per year

International students, tuition and fees by tier (base $48,222 to Business $52,324); out-of-state US students pay $46,058-$50,166 Tuition $48,222 – $52,324

+ on-campus housing and meal plan (standard double room, 19 meals a week) $19,242 ≈ from $67,464 per year

Tuition On-campus housing and meal plan (standard double room, 19 meals a week)

Financial aid

U.S. students apply for need-based aid with the FAFSA (opens October 1 for 2027-28) and for university scholarships through the CU Boulder Scholarship Application (opens December 1). CU Promise pays low-income students' share of tuition and fees, and Colorado residents with weighted GPAs of 3.8 to 4.0+ receive automatic merit scholarships. International students can receive institutional aid: 189 nonresident undergraduates received an average of $20,444 in 2025-26.

$35,456 Colorado resident; $66,500 nonresident; $68,664 international
Estimated 2026-27 cost (base-rate tuition, fees, books, on-campus housing and food): 72%
Average need met for aid recipients (CDS 2025-26): $17,729
Average need-based grant, first-year students (CDS 2025-26): 189 students, average $20,444
Nonresident (international) undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)

Academics

Academic calendar: Semesters

Aerospace Engineering Sciences

No. 6 among public universities (No. 10 overall) for undergraduates in U.S. News' 2027 edition; CU is the top public university for NASA research funding.

Physics

Home to JILA and four of CU Boulder's five Nobel laureates, including Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman for Bose-Einstein condensation.

Environmental Engineering

No. 7 among public universities (No. 11 overall) in U.S. News' 2027 undergraduate rankings.

Leeds School of Business

No. 21 among public universities (No. 33 overall) for undergraduate business in U.S. News' 2027 edition; real estate ranks No. 9 among publics.

Computer Science

No. 16 among public universities (No. 34 overall) in U.S. News' 2027 edition.

Research

JILA, a joint institute with NIST, and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) are based at CU Boulder, along with the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI).
Five Nobel Prizes have gone to CU Boulder researchers: Thomas Cech (Chemistry 1989), Carl Wieman and Eric Cornell (Physics 2001), John Hall (Physics 2005) and David Wineland (Physics 2012).
CU Boulder ranks in the top 7% of universities for National Science Foundation research funding, and its startups raised $492 million in FY2025.

Schools & faculties

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Leeds School of Business
College of Communication, Media, Design and Information
College of Music
School of Education
Program in Environmental Design
Law School

Graduation rate

74%

First-year students who return

91%

College Scorecard: median earnings of $69,738 ten years after entry (and $54,939 six years after entry) for federally aided students. CU Boulder reports that 86% of graduates were employed, in graduate school or in military service within six months of graduating (2026).

Student life

CU Boulder's campus is known for its sandstone buildings with red tile roofs, set right against the Flatirons and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The University Memorial Center and its Glenn Miller Ballroom anchor campus social life, and the Colorado Buffaloes compete in 17 varsity sports in the Big 12 Conference, playing football at Folsom Field. Sustainability is a campus identity: CU was the first university to earn a STARS Gold rating and runs the first zero-waste Division I stadium.

Colorado Buffaloes: 17 varsity sports in NCAA Division I, Big 12 Conference.
The first Division I zero-waste stadium and athletic program.
2,269 international students from 106 countries (fall 2025).
18 CU Boulder-affiliated astronauts and 12 MacArthur fellows.

Location

Boulder is a mid-sized city northwest of Denver, where the plains meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and the campus looks out on the Flatirons. Boulder has a strong startup and outdoor-industry scene, and CU cites it as the top U.S. city for green start-ups.

Nearest airport: Denver International Airport (DEN)

Notable alumni

KC
Kalpana Chawla

Indian-American NASA astronaut
EO
Ellison Onizuka

Japanese-American NASA astronaut
SC
Scott Carpenter

Mercury Seven astronaut (BS 1962)
TP
Trey Parker

Co-creator of South Park and The Book of Mormon (BA 1993)
RR
Robert Redford

Actor and filmmaker; attended CU Boulder for a year and a half
BW
Byron White

Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court
TE
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj

President of Mongolia
EJ
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President of Liberia and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Frequently asked questions

What is CU Boulder's acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, CU Boulder admitted 51,716 of 73,180 first-year applicants, or about 71%. Colorado residents were admitted at a higher rate (81%) than out-of-state applicants (67%).

Does CU Boulder require the SAT or ACT?

No. Test scores are optional for first-year applicants. Among fall 2025 enrollees who submitted scores, the middle 50% was 1130-1370 on the SAT and 27-32 on the ACT.

When are CU Boulder's application deadlines for fall 2027?

Early action is November 15, 2026 (decisions by February 1) and regular decision is January 15, 2027 (decisions by April 1). Both are non-binding.

How much does CU Boulder cost for international students?

For 2026-27, international tuition and fees run from $48,222 to $52,324 depending on your major's tier, and the estimated cost including on-campus housing, food and books starts at $68,664.

What English test score does CU Boulder require?

The minimums are TOEFL iBT 80 (or 4.0 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 or PTE 58; SAT, ACT, AP and IB English results can also satisfy the requirement.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.