Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Boulder, Colorado |
| Online | colorado.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, the University of Colorado Boulder sits in a college town 25 miles northwest of Denver. The campus is distinguished by its uniform Tuscan Vernacular Revival architecture featuring sandstone buildings with red tile roofs, set against the backdrop of the Flatirons rock formations. Established in 1876 as Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder operates as a selective public research institution with particular academic strengths in aerospace engineering, physics, environmental science, and business. The university maintains eight residential halls primarily housing first-year students, while upperclassmen typically reside in university apartments or off-campus housing. As a member of the Pac-12 Conference, the Colorado Buffaloes compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with notable programs in skiing and cross-country running.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CU Boulder is rated within the top 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Colorado Boulder within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#197 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#43 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Colorado
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Colorado
#445 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Value Colleges in Colorado
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1230/1420 |
| ACT | 28/33 |
| GPA | 3.68 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Colorado Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,646 |
| Room and Board | $16,950 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,104 |
| Total One Year Cost | $37,684 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,646 |
| Room and Board | $16,950 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,104 |
| Total One Year Cost | $63,197 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 16% |
| Business | 12% |
| Biology | 10% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Communication | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CU Boulder are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126614 IPEDS survey data for University of Colorado Boulder.
Current students may use the University of Colorado Boulder GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025