College Search
University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · City · 31,939 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Action · in 44 days
Checked Oct 2026 · colorado.edu
$25,346
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
75%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$69,738
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
78%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

The University of Colorado Boulder is a premier public research university celebrated for world-class programs in aerospace engineering, environmental sciences, physics, and business through the Leeds School of Business. As one of the nation’s top public recipients of NASA research funding, the university stands out for its extraordinary contributions to space exploration, earth sciences, and entrepreneurship. Set against the iconic Flatirons, campus life is defined by an energetic, outdoorsy student culture that seamlessly pairs rigorous research opportunities with vibrant school spirit and easy access to Rocky Mountain recreation.

Wikipedia:The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system. CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities, is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and has been referred to as a Public Ivy.

Location
Boulder, CO, 80309-0017 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
DEN · Denver
33 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$15,666$44,918
Housing & food (on campus)$18,468$18,468
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$37,684$71,784
Average net price$25,346Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$44,918
In-state: $15,666
Housing & food (on campus)$18,468
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$71,784
In-state: $37,684
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $25,346
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.colorado.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
University of Colorado Boulder’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$46,058
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,782
Transportation$2,062
Total published by the school$71,784
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$14,231
$30–48k
$14,381
$48–75k
$18,828
$75–110k
$26,915
$110k+
$34,818
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$10,166
First-years who got one3,348
Source: University of Colorado Boulder's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
75%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
57%
Back for yr 2
90%
Transferred
15%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
76% graduated · 16% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$54,939
10 yrs after entry$69,738
Debt
Median at graduation$19,500
Monthly payment$207
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25k
90th percentile$30,750
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
78%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1357
R 630–710 · M 610–720
ACT midpoint
28
Comp 29–33 · E 27–34 · M 26–32
SAT middle 50%: 1240–1430
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 15 2026
in 44 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · colorado.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

Wondering if University of Colorado Boulder is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of Colorado Boulder: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of Colorado Boulder's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
From University of Colorado Boulder (colorado.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don't know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals or anything else that has shaped your interests.

Quoted from University of Colorado Boulder's own page; answered in the Common Application. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 53%Women 47%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
14%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$70,221
Independent
10%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
10%
Race & ethnicity
White
67%
Hispanic
14%
Black
2%
Asian
6%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$54,939
After 10 yrs
$69,738
Business Administration, Management and Operations1201
Psychology, General585
Computer Science483
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication411
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences351
Political Science and Government281
Economics272
Mechanical Engineering262
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering218
Natural Resources Conservation and Research206
Communication and Media Studies201
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology194
Sociology191
Neurobiology and Neurosciences147
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences146
Environmental Design129
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$13,324/mo
Teaching spend
$18,515
per student
Federal loans
25%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$718M research spending · 447 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if University of Colorado Boulder is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search