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University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
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Admit Rate
78%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
Cost of Attendance
$37,684
$66,936 out-of-state
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: CU Boulder admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026)

Data sourced from IPEDS, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years English3-4 years math3 years lab science3 years social studies2 years same foreign language

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. CU Boulder admissions
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$65. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Action November 15, Regular Decision January 15. Common App requirements grid
Overall
78%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1240-1430
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Business Administration
  2. 2Psychology
  3. 3Computer Science
  4. 4Public Relations and Advertising
  5. 5Physiology
  6. 6Mechanical Engineering
  7. 7Political Science
  8. 8Aerospace Engineering
  9. 9Economics
  10. 10Environmental Studies

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so University of Colorado Boulder may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Action
November 15 · Non-binding
Regular Decision
January 15 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$65 U.S., $70 international
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (9)
BasketballFootballGolfLacrosseSkiingSoccerTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyball
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering SciencesLeeds School of BusinessCollege of Engineering and Applied Science

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
Aerospace EngineeringBusinessEnvironmental ScienceComputer ScienceMedia/Communication
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Environmental StudiesData ScienceEntrepreneurship

Cost

In-state cost of attendance
$37,684* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-state cost of attendance
$66,936* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
In-state $15,666* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Out-of-state $44,918* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$14,231
$30,001 – $48,000
$14,381
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,828
$75,001 – $110,000
$26,915
Over $110,000
$34,818

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

CU Boulder offers merit scholarships to strong out-of-state applicants (e.g., Chancellor's/Regents-style awards), but the out-of-state cost of attendance is among the highest of the public flagships in this set, so merit aid rarely closes the full gap.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Boulder, Colorado· Small City
Undergraduates
32,244
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
Not publicly reported
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27

‡CU Boulder admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026

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