Founded in 1876, University of Colorado Boulder. is a Public college. Located in Colorado, which is a city setting in Colorado, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 27,901 full time undergraduate students, and 6,076 full time graduate students.
The University of Colorado Boulder Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 18:1. There are 1508 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Colorado Boulder include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
76%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
1070-1310
ACT Range
25-30
Admissions at CU-Boulder are considered Less Selective, with ,168% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 19 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
89% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 54% were in the top quarter, and 24% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Colorado Boulder.
297 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
292 Students rated off-campus housing 2.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
334 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
345 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
346 Students rated class size 3.6 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
343 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
344 Students rated local services 4.4 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
347 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
University of Colorado Boulder REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of University of Colorado Boulder?
152 Students rated University of Colorado Boulder
Maddy
Prospective04/20/2025
The University of Colorado Boulder captivates me because it embodies a vibrant fusion of academic excellence, innovative research, and an inclusive, spirited campus culture. CU Boulder is more than just an institution—it’s a dynamic community where intellectual curiosity meets real-world application, and where every student is empowered to explore, create, and contribute.
I am particularly drawn to the university’s expansive academic options. Whether it’s the interdisciplinary programs that encourage thinking beyond traditional boundaries or the state-of-the-art research facilities that support cutting-edge inquiry, CU Boulder offers a rich academic landscape tailored to diverse interests. The faculty’s commitment to mentorship and collaborative learning further enhances this environment, drawing students into a culture of inquiry that is both challenging and nurturing.
The vibrant student life is another key attraction. From engaging student organizations and cultural events to initiatives that promote sustainability and community outreach, the campus buzzes with energy and opportunity. Boulder’s unique blend of outdoor adventure and creative exploration complements academic life perfectly, allowing students to balance rigorous study with recreational and social experiences. This harmonious integration of academics and student life ensures that learning extends far beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth and lasting community connections.
Ultimately, I see myself thriving as part of this community—contributing my voice and energy while drawing upon the university’s diverse resources to drive both my academic and personal ambitions. I am inspired by the chance to work alongside like-minded peers and professors, and I am eager to help shape CU Boulder’s legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and transformative impact.
Nick
Prospective04/16/2025
I have not started my freshman year just yet, but being from Colorado and visiting the school many times, I can confidently state that CU is a wonderful school. The education system is amazing, and for my major I believe its top twenty in the nation. CU has every club and organization you can think of as well as top tier sports. The school is also in a very desirable location as Boulder was ranked the best college town in 2022. With skiing and snowboarding right near by as well CU really has it all. That's why I would give it a five star rating, and that's why I plan to attend CU next year.
Leila
Prospective04/13/2025
Attending the University of Colorado Boulder will be a dream of mine come true. The University of Colorado opens up endless opportunities to students who choose to join the vibrant and colorful university. Many may be intimidated by the size of the school, especially those who are not used to being a part of such a large community, but that large community helps you find your people. From the amazing staff and students to the endless activities within the community, you get a chance to be a part of something great.
Anya
Prospective04/12/2025
I want to study Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts at CU Boulder because I want to make art that is meaningful and reaches a large audience. Based on the course descriptions, Film Topics: Storytelling and Life and Moving Image Foundations are classes I need to take to grow as a filmmaker. I hope to learn from the incredible faculty and my creative peers at CU Boulder and continue doing what I love. There are ample opportunities and internships that come with their film program that I am eager to be a part of. Not only is CU Boulder incredibly academically achieving, but also has a welcoming and lively student life and campus activities. It is not uncommon to see students making the most of their experience there and building a community. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and it is important to me to take advantage of the vast and beautiful scenery in and around campus. My goal is to join clubs and participate in campus activities to cater to that. I am so incredibly excited to start this fall and can't wait to see what the next fun filled four years brings.
Adam
Prospective04/11/2025
The University of Colorado, Boulder is an engaging and supportive college with an inclusive curriculum. It makes a constant effort for its students of color, queerness, and religious descent. As a future education major, I take the well-being of my students very seriously. By requiring education majors to take diversity classes, it inspires a new generation of teachers to care about their students' differences; something that should be second nature for educators. University of Colorado, Boulder is taking steps toward a more equitable future and by virtue gained my respect. Not only this, but the University has affordable housing, tuition, and highly trained counselors who offer support for all students. I highly recommend University of Colorado, Boulder for education majors among all others.
Braddock
Prospective04/09/2025
I'm drawn to the University of Colorado Boulder for its blend of academics, community, and close by outdoor access. The campus's proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes it ideal for someone who loves hiking, snowboarding, and fishing. CU Boulder's rec center is a major attraction for me-its the amazing facilities that help me live a healthy life style year-round. I'm also excited about the variety of clubs that the school has which allow me to connect with other students who share similar passions, weather its engineering, snowboarding, nature, or sustainability. It feels like a place where I can both thrive both personally and academically.
Davis
Prospective04/09/2025
Business school and the town
Joel
College04/06/2025
Overall good campus, professors and work are applicable to the degree I am working on, and the administrative support is responsive
Kelly
Prospective04/05/2025
I’m attracted to CU Boulder for a variety of reasons. One of those being it is a R1 institution. Since it is a top tier research institution, I get the ability to learn from professors who are changing their fields daily and work with these professors to develop my own research skills so that they are exceptional. Another reason is, CU Boulder has excellent faculty who have won awards in multiple political science sub disciplines. I am receiving the best education from the most qualified individuals. Another reason I’m drawn to Boulder is, the political science program’s learning philosophy of trying by doing. Through this political science students not only learn the material, but gain valuable skills to apply their knowledge in real world situations. Students are transformed into individuals that can contribute effectively to the professional world. When it comes to student life,Boulder makes sure to offer a club for everyone. One im particularly interested in is the CU Gold Club. I’m interested in it because it’s a club that will allow me to really develop my leadership skills in a way that impacts my fellow peers and I get to work hand in hand with like minded individuals. I’m also interested in possibly joining a sorority in order to build connections. Boulder has a thriving and supportive Greek life that contributes positively to the university culture.
Cayla
04/05/2025
CU Boulder is alright as a school, though it is very large and you don't get all that much individual support unless you are a business major or an aerospace major. There is a wide variety of class options and sizes, which is very nice, and there are some very interesting major and minor programs of study.
KayLee
02/13/2025
I only went to Boulder for a semester, but I did enjoy my time there. Do not live in Will Vill - the food is great but the dorms are infested with lady bugs and stink bugs ( I was in Darley South) If you are business in Leeds, you should deff live with the people are in simliar degree or youll be left out. Sorority & Frat life is exactly like everyone says it is and there is a heavy alcohol and drug scene. They were not my people & I couldn't find my crowd but if your into party scene def the place.
Neville
12/01/2024
CU Boulder is a beautiful campus with a safe and friendly environment. On-campus housing is quite nice, even though some buildings are quite hold they are still high quality with heating. Every dormatory has a safe, fun, and friendly environment making it easy to find friends if you're new around town. Campus dining is very nice, as someone who doesn't have time to go back to my dorm and grab a bite, the campus has grab-n-go options all over campus. The 2 main dining halls are decent sized and have all sorts of options for all different ethinicities. As a Southern Asian they always have very similar cuisine in the given section of the dining halls, and this goes for many ethnicities. Campus facilities are nice as they have one massive rec center with a rock-wall, indoor/outdoor pool, several courts for basketball/volleyball, a boxing gym, raquet ball courts, etc. Safe to say you can fullfil a proper workout at the rec with all sorts of entertainment. With Boulder being a state school intro level classes will be massive lecture halls, some are in small sections but most are lecture halls. But I've heard class size of lectures get smaller the further you go in your degree. CU Boulder has a vast selection of extracurricular activities, from intramural sports, to club sports, to clubs in general. You'll definetly be able to find a group that share your interests at Boulder. Boulder is a small city, but the selection of shopping is very vast, and Denver is only a 20 minute drive! But you get everything you need in Boulder, several strip malls, targets, walmarts, pharmacies, and plenty of top notch resturants. Academically CU Boulder is an amazing source of education. Boulder has a top tier Business School and an amazing Engineering School, with Aerospace Engineering being ranked number 5 in the nation! Safe to say you will be surrounded by smart individuals like yourself. Overall Boulder is an amazing school with everything a student could need. If I had to go back in time I would not change a single thing about my choice of Boulder to continue my education!
Gabriela
11/19/2024
Coming to the University of Colorado Boulder was the best decision I could have made. I am deeply enjoying my classes and major and have no complaints towards the academic aspects. There is also a variety of outdoor opportunities to be outside and remain physically healthy. Additionally it is a very friendly campus with the ability to meet new people at all times. Boulder is a very nice college town with many things to do outside of the school as well. Additionally there are also many opportunities to get involved within the school and show spirit.
Caliana
11/03/2024
I think the campus is absolutely beautiful, we went there for a campus visit and you could tell the grounds were very well kept. I also appreciated how polite and respectful everyone was when visiting. You could tell the campus culture is very supportive and exciting, people love going there from what we heard.
Brianne
08/01/2024
CU was a great place to go to school for undergrad. Boulder is stunning, the campus is beautiful and large so everyone can find their niche. I was against going there at first since it was an in-state school, but I'm glad I went! The sports games were a blast to attend, the gym is insanely nice, Boulder is decently walkable with tons to do. You get what you put into undergrad and Boulder (Leeds School of Business more specifically) set me up for success. I'm now on my way to Harvard for my masters! Thank you CU! Sko Buffs!
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Colorado Boulder is 76%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I would tell my high school self two large pieces of advice. The first would be to stop being a procrastinator. In college, assignments come at you left and right and the due dates sneak up on you so fast. No longer do you get three weeks to write a four page essay, you might get three days. No longer do you have one big assignment a month, you have four big assignments a week. The second piece of advice I would give myself would be to really hone in on time management skills. Even though, four or five classes seem like nothing to a highschooler, they are a lot of work in college. I would want to make sure my highschool self understood classes do not mean go to class and maybe have some homework; they mean going to lecture, taking notes, reading, taking more notes, studying, and taking even more notes. If I had that advice as a high schooler I do not think the transition to college would have been such a shock.
Students here are laid-back, smart and easy to get along with, though some can be lazy and unmotivated to do a little more work when it comes to classes.
The best thing is the Flatirons and the hiking. I would change how it costs everywhere to park, rent is SO expensive, and the wind sucks. I really only spend time on campus for class or the Herd, or the gym otherwise I am elsewhere.
Most professors don't know my name and most classes are pretty big. If you go here, you have to take recitations which are ridiculous. Most colleges don't do that. Boulder students don't have intellectual conversations outside of class because they are too busy partying. Students aren't really competitive either because they don't care. Boulder doesn't really help you when you are struggling; it seems as if they want you to fail. Boulder isn't geared towards jobs or learning; it's geared towards them making as much money as they possibly can.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
The Boulder Freeride is a ski/snowboard club on campus, probably the largest club. Quarterly meetings, giveaways, rail jams, ski trips etc. throughout the year. I', involved with the Annex, a Christian student group., where I've met many of my good friends. We go on ski trips, retreats, hikes and there is weekly worship on Tuesday nights.
Athletic events are very popular and there is a lot of school pride. Foot ball and Basketball are the biggest.
It is easy to party midweek here, a few of the non-engineers in my dorm come in very late 4 or 5 days a week. But again, there's usually something else to do whether that's going to a movie, live performance, skiing, climbing gym . . .
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
What is unique about CU is the city it is tucked away in, Boulder. The city of Boulder is incredibly passionate about health and wellness and offers multiple opportunities for students to be physically active within the community at no cost. Boulder also offers nationally ranked restaurants that cater to the appetites of its residents, such as vegans or competitive eaters. Lastly, Boulder is dedicated to the well being of animals and any students interested in studying them would find incredible resources to do so. By attending CU students get the opprotunity to take advantage of this incredibly unique city.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
The school is AMAZING! The buildings, campus and facilities are well taken care of. The campus has many places to recycle at helping the environment. THe campus is a great place to hang out, get work done and just walk around. The beautiful scenery makes it possible for you to de-stress whenever you need to, but the many libraries and study rooms here also help keep you on track and provide great study locations all over campus. The faculty here are always willing to help when your having trouble with anything as well. This campus is amazing.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
How to better make friends because everyone here is very nice, but I missed out on some opportunities. By the way, even though alcohol is a big part of this school, it's still fairly easy to not drink and still be accepted. I also wish I had known what I wanted my major to be ahead of time and just declared it; it's easier that way.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating part about my school is the size of classes at the lower division undergradte level. Some classrooms are stuffed with 250 students, which makes it difficult to ask questions and get help when needed.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
While there is a large party Scene at CU the course work is tough and engaging. Students learn amazing things and engage in incredible research opportunities. There are in all departments and any field you might be interested in, and if all the opportunities somehow will up you can do your own independent study with the guidance of amazing faculty. After all the hard work we do at CU, it's time for a little party.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A person considering attending this university should be academically focused, should like the outdoors, be outgoing and friendly, and accepting of people from all backgrounds.
There is not one kind of person who attends CU Boulder because it is such a large, diverse school. However, it does have a bit of a reputation of being a tree-hugging, marijuana smoking school. The tree-hugging part is mostly true. But that does not mean every student here is a hippie or an activist. CU just provides avenues for all students to help the enviroment. As for the smoking part, there are students who do drugs but this is not the majority. Those students are just very public with their drug-use.
Boulder is a pretty well known school. Most people associate it with partying, sking, and smoking pot, but there is so much more to Boulder than the party scene. The campus and the view that surrounds it is amazing!
I decided to go to this school because of the beautiful campus. I love the atmosphere. I also decided to go here because of the location. It's not too far and not too close to home. It's only an hour drive for me if I ever needed to go home. Plus my best friend was going to this school so it was nice to know someone before I came here.
The dorms vary from building to building. There are newer dorms, like Hallett, and much older dorms, like Farrand. I spent my freshman year in Libby, which was a good experience, but the dorm itself was not in the best shape. I lived in a room with one other person, who I had not met, but we got a long great. In Libby, there is a common area upstairs, but its rather inconvenient to spend time in. Also, there is an area downstairs with a very old piano and a few tables, which was a nice place to get some quiet studying done. Overall, the dorm experience is what you make it, and if you are friendly to the people on your floor, they will most likely be friendly to you. I was more solitary and did not mingle with others on my floor as much as some, because I entered CU with a few very good friends from high school.
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.
64% of students attending University of Colorado Boulder receive some sort of financial aid.
16% were awarded federal grants.34%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
