About Naropa University

Founded in 1974, Naropa University. is a college. Located in Colorado, which is a city setting in Colorado, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 382 full time undergraduate students, and 549 full time graduate students.

The Naropa University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 61 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Naropa University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at are considered Less Selective, with ,0% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 23 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Naropa University.

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    4 Students rated on-campus housing 4 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    4 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    4 Students rated campus food 4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    5 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    5 Students rated class size 4.8 stars. 80 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    5 Students rated school activities 2.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    5 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 80 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    5 Students rated academics 4 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

Naropa University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Naropa University?

2 Students rated Naropa University

Lourdes - 05/11/2018

It's an awesome university! The professors are great, the curriculum is incredible.

Darshini - 11/09/2017

Naropa University is a Buddhist inspired college that is dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of its students. People from all walks of life are welcome here. We are a very "woke" school that strives to make everyone feel heard. That is one of the things I love the most about my school. We may not be big on sports or partying, but there are a lot of awesome activities happening on campus at any given time or day. The teachers are all extremely welcoming and patient. They are passionate about the subjects they teach, are usually very flexible and are always willing to answer questions. There are two housing facilities with varying styles. Snow Lion is apartment style living while 2333 Arapaho is more traditional dorm style with a large beautiful shared kitchen. I would recommend Naropa University to a student who is interested in a well rounded education that not only prepares them for a career but for living a life devoted to emotional and spiritual maturity.

Naropa University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Naropa University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Naropa University is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Well, I would share a little bit more about my teachers and coursework in high school but I would not talk much about what happened after high school considering that I made some fundamental mistakes which made me who I am today. I went into a fundamentalist Bible College up in Canada as an evangelical Christian and came out a staunch atheist. I learned so much more about myself after that experience and gained the courage to begin my transsexual transition from male to female. This, I would not share with my past self, I could never do that for it would possibly make my old self much more paranoid and possibly ruin the great future that I do have.

    Read all 6 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    The classmates that I attend school with are hardworking, cooperative, and determined.

    Read all 3 answers
  4. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Hm, I'm not quite sure I am learning as I go.

    Read all 3 answers
  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    commited, hardworking, positive individuals

    Read all 2 answers
  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Naropa is a truly sacred university where community and contemplation are honoured and respected.

    Read all 1 answers
  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Naropa has the philosophy of contemplative education, which uses Buddhist ideals and values to help students not just learn the curriculum but to actively engage in it. With this model, you don't just study the textbook and stop thinking about it from there, you are challenged to think of the course material in new and exciting ways that you never thought possible. You not only engage alternative ideas about the curriculum but the other students also share their ideas and insights to make Naropa a much better educational community than any other university out there.

    Read all 1 answers
  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    The stereotypes are definitely not accurate. While the school was Buddhist inspired (the founder was a well-known Tibetan Buddhist teacher) no one is required to be Buddhist or religious in any way. Meditation is utilized in some classes (more so in the religious studies classes than in others). The founding background of Naropa helps to highlight contemplative education as a real need in society. Scholarships and grants abound here at Naropa, so you don't need to be rich to go here. I would go here if that was the case.

    Read all 1 answers
  9. What are the academics like at your school?

    The size of the school makes it really easy to get to know professors and, they usually have lots of time for students. I think my favorite class would have to be either 1) Nonviolence in and through History, 2) Women, Feminism, and Peacemaking, or 3) Issues of Global Poverty. These are all from my department, but the classes outside my department that I've liked especially are The Cinema or Exile and Diaspora (good film class)... or Environmental Economics. Usually students get pretty involved in class discussion. This makes for a good mix of lecture, reading, and discussion. My department is Peace Studies. It's pretty interdisciplinary... we look at the study of peace and conflict from a range of angles... philosophical, historical, socio-anthropological, artistically... The most unique class that I've ever taken was Traditional Chinese Brushstroke from the art department. I like the academic requirement of Naropa. There is a good fusion of typical academics (paper writing etc...) with experiential exercises to help internalize concepts and lessons. My department also requires a thesis, which I like a lot. I'm excited to synthesize my studies into one last large piece of work. It's easy to get an appointment with my professors outside of class. They have offices close by and the door is always open. The education at Naropa is geared toward educating the whole person, not just helping the person get a job.. that's important of course, but that just one piece of the puzzle. I also think Naropa does a really good job at preparing students for graduate school.

    Read all 1 answers
  10. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Some stereotypes are... that we are all a bunch of Buddhists that just sit around meditating all day, not really connecting to the real world, and that you have to be a trust fund baby to go here.

    Read all 1 answers
  11. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Best thing about Naropa... duh, my program (Peace Studies)! I'm very biased. One thing I would change (and I'm trying in student government) is the diversity here at Naropa... we need more people from diverse backgrounds. The size of the school is perfect (about 1,000 students). This makes class size small (20-30 students). When I tell people I go to Naropa, they are usually excited to hear it. On campus I spend most of my time in the classroom or on the green outside. Naropa's administration is pretty good. My experience is that they are willing to work with students one on one to meet the students needs. I'll always remember the Peace Studies department and the professors Sudarshan Kapur and Candace Walworth. Amazing professors!

    Read all 1 answers
  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The classes are small and there is great access to teachers and professional assistants, take every oportunity you have to make contact with these people, dialogue with classmates over course material, use creative and open thought, and look to apply the wonderful things you will learn at Naropa to your lived experience. This creates a personalized education formed through diverse views of professionals and peers, which leads to intimate insights about the world, this is hands down the best thing about Naropa.

    Read all 1 answers
  13. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The technology always manages to go haywire right when you need it most. The school seems to have bad technology karma, either that or just a small technology budget.

    Read all 1 answers
  14. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It is the only Buddhist univeristy in the U.S. and I am thrilled with the contemplative education it provides me, in my 1st semester I already feel rejuvenated on a spiritual and philosophical level and am excited to challenge myself more in its community and the greater world with the education Naropa provides.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

67%

female

33%

male

382

Total Undergrad Enrollment

549

Total Grad Students

56%

Out-Of-State

41%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

18

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

9%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
1%
% Hispanic/Latino
10%
% White or Caucasian
64%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

76% of students attending Naropa University receive some sort of financial aid. 47% were awarded federal grants. While 61% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$31,170

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,256

Books and Supplies

$9,965

Room and Board

42,391

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$21,919
$30 - $48K
$24,258
$48 - $75K
$24,489
$75 - $110K
$39,481
$110K & UP
$35,007

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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