Boulder Than Most
The possibilities are endless.
At CU Boulder, you’ll dive deeper into the topics that interest you, and by embracing your unique talents and passions, you’ll have a positive impact on campus and beyond. Here, you’ll explore. You’ll innovate. You’ll lead. How do we know that? Because we do it too. We’re bold so you can Be Boulder.
college town in the U.S.
(Best College Reviews, 2023)
3% best quality college in the U.S. (College Factual, 2023) among world universities 3% university to achieve a STARS Gold 1st in Chemistry and Physics
(Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2023)
# 5 U.S. university for startup creation Nobel Prize winners 5
rating for sustainability
(Association of University Technology Managers, 2023)
4,600+
425 courses offered in 160+ fields of study Education Abroad programs in 65+ countries
37,153 students enrolled
840
7,546
Leeds School of Business
All students major in business administration with an emphasis in one of the areas listed below.
Business Administration
Accounting*
Business Analytics
Finance*
Management & Entrepreneurship
Marketing
Real Estate
Business Open Option/Undecided
Program in
Environmental Design
Through the majors below, students work toward a Bachelor of Environmental Design as preparation for entry into graduate and professional degree programs as well as the workplace.
Architecture
Environmental Product Design
Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Planning & Urban Design
Environmental Design Open Option/Undecided
College of Media,
Communication and Information
Communication
Information Science*
Journalism
Media Production
Media Studies
Strategic Communication
College of Music
Arts in Music
General
Musicology and World Music
Music Production
Music
Brass & Percussion
Composition
Jazz Studies
Musical Theatre
Musicology
Piano & Keyboard
Strings
Voice
Woodwinds
Music Education
College of Arts and Sciences
Anthropology
Art History*
Art Practices
Asian Studies
Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Chinese*
Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts*
Classics*
Dance
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology*
Economics
English
Environmental Studies
Ethnic Studies*
French*
Geography
Geology
German Studies*
History
Humanities
Integrative Physiology*
International Affairs
Italian Japanese*
Jewish Studies
Linguistics*
Mathematics*
Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Neuroscience Philosophy*
Physics*
Political Science
Psychology
Public Health
Religious Studies*
Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies*
Sociology
Spanish
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Statistics & Data Science*
Theatre*
Women & Gender Studies
Arts & Sciences Open Option/Undecided
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Aerospace Engineering Sciences*
Applied Mathematics*
Architectural Engineering*
Biological Engineering*
Biomedical Engineering*
Chemical Engineering*
Civil Engineering*+
Computer Science, BA*
Computer Science, BS*
Creative Technology & Design
Electrical & Computer Engineering*+
Electrical Engineering*
Engineering Physics*
Environmental Engineering
Integrated Design Engineering
Mechanical Engineering*+
Engineering Open Option/Undecided
School of Education
Majors leading to teacher licensure in addition to a bachelor's degree
Elementary Education
Middle & High School Teaching
(requires second major in a related content area)
Non-licensure majors leading only to a bachelor’s degree
Education Studies
Leadership & Community Engagement
Program in Exploratory Studies
Students may apply directly to this CU Boulder program. Within the program, students discover and pursue the countless options offered at CU Boulder as they develop their own unique academic path. Students in the Program in Exploratory Studies work with a group of highly skilled advisors and coaches to set academic goals and explore their various interests.
Exploratory Studies/University-wide Open Option/Undecided
Interested in Health Sciences or Law?
Students can pursue any major at CU Boulder while receiving professional advising for their intended field of interest. Preprofessional advisors are available to help you explore law, medicine or other health programs, and will help you prepare for law school or a health-care-related professional school. We recommend choosing a major that you are interested in—ideally one that you are passionate about—because, while your major does not affect your chances of admission to a professional program, how well you do and the grades you earn do affect your chances.
+ Denotes programs also available through Engineering partnership with Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado University. colorado.edu/engineering/university-partnerships
*Denotes bachelor’s-accelerated master’s degree option
Additional Info: AP/IB credits: bit.ly/cucollegecredit
STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa students: bit.ly/custemopt
Campus life
Get involved, explore new interests and grow your community of friends. From housing options to clubs and organizations, you’ll find endless opportunities on campus to build new connections while you earn your degree.
Housing
Make the most of your college experience with a housing option that suits your interests and academic goals. The housing application for new incoming students opens in early March. For updates, visit colorado.edu/living/housing.
Residential Academic Programs (RAPs):
Join a learning community with academic perks. Live with other students with similar academic interests, enjoy small first-year classes, gain extra access to faculty and resources, and reinforce your program’s academic theme.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs):
Follow your interests from the classroom into your residence hall. In thematic residence halls, you’ll connect with other students who care about your passions.
Traditional housing:
These residence halls are perfect for students interested in a traditional first-year living experience.
Dining
Our nationally ranked dining program offers cuisine from around the world and serves students with vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal diets, and those with food allergies.
3 residence hall neighborhoods,
14 students participated in intramural sports in 2023 NCAA, Division I, Big 12 athletic programs including Williams Village, Kittredge and Central Campus
4,630+
LIFE in the CU LEAD Alliance program, encouraging learning communities with inclusive excellence campus partners
3 dining centers, plus on-campus markets, cafés and grab-and-go locations clubs and organizations
450+
Want to explore campus from home?
Take our virtual tour: bit.ly/cuvirtualtour
Eldorado Canyon
Widely known as a rock climber’s paradise.
Farrand Field
A great quad to play Frisbee.
South Boulder Creek
A location for experienced kayakers to practice on wild terrain.
Creek path
The best way to get around town via bike, skateboard or on foot.
Boulder Reservoir
Our sailing club and crew team practice on these waters.
Denver
With your student bus pass, you can get to Denver any day of the week.
Denver International Airport
Only 45 minutes away from campus.
Rocky Mountain National Park
World-renowned hiking trails only one hour from campus.
Chautauqua Park
Many students make it a goal to hike all eight notable trails before graduation.
Rec Center
This on-campus facility is sustainably designed and offers more than 300,000 square feet of recreation space.
Eldora
Our Nordic and Alpine ski teams practice here.
Boulder Creek
Perfect for inner tubing in the summer.
Funding your education
Each year, more than half of domestic CU Boulder students apply for and receive some form of aid. Do your research and apply early! You do not need to be admitted to apply for scholarships and financial aid.
For more information on funding opportunities, visit colorado.edu/financialaid and colorado.edu/scholarships.
CU Boulder initiatives
The CU Boulder Tuition Guarantee
Predictable, four-year guarantee provides complete transparency. colorado.edu/tuition-guarantee
The CU Promise program
Financial aid that covers the cost of tuition and fees for eligible Colorado resident students. colorado.edu/ financialaid/types-aid/cupromise † Select scholarships have earlier deadlines. The
Important dates
Financial aid application opens for details visit colorado.edu/financialaid
CU Boulder Scholarship application opens
Priority date to complete the FAFSA to be considered for all types of financial aid
Deadline for CU Boulder Scholarship application & FAFSA for scholarships based on financial need †
Estimated costs
Estimated annual costs shown here are based on 2024–25 rates for one academic year (fall and spring). Undergraduate tuition is determined by residency classification and area of study, and Tuition Tiers reflect the cost of instruction for each area.
For the most current costs, visit colorado.edu/bursar. Individual costs may vary and rates may be subject to change.
Understand your cost of attendance from tuition and fees to on-campus housing, food, books/ supplies, personal expenses, transportation and medical insurance at colorado.edu/understand-your-cost-attendance
Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, Music, Open Option in Arts & Sciences, and the Program in Exploratory Studies
and Media, Communication and Information
Resident estimated costs
Base tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $14,004
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $32,998
Tier 3 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $17,820
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $36,814
Tier 2 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $15,924
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $34,918
Tier 4 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $19,887
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $38,878
Nonresident estimated costs
Base tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $43,624
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $62,618
Tier 3 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $47,172
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $66,166
International estimated costs
Base tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $45,678
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $64,672
Tier
3 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $49,106
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $68,100
Tier 2 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $45,568
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $64,562
Tier 4 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $47,522
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $66,516
Tier 2 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $47,512
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $66,506
Tier 4 tuition rate
Tuition & fees: $49,572
On-campus housing & food: $17,794
Books & supplies: $1,200
Total: $68,566
Automatic consideration scholarships*
First-year students who complete an admission application by the early action or regular decision deadline are automatically considered for academic scholarships each year, renewable for up to four years. First-year students are notified if they have received an automatic consideration scholarship within their application status page, after they have received an admission decision. For scholarship amounts and details, visit colorado.edu/scholarships/auto-consider/first-years.
This is not the only type of scholarship available, so students are also encouraged to complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application. For details visit colorado.edu/ scholarships/prospective-first-year-students
*Automatic consideration scholarships are available for up to four years based on renewal requirements for each academic year.
Campus programs and departmental scholarships
We offer our students many scholarship, funding and academic enrichment opportunities, so you can make the most of your academic experience. Learn more about our many opportunities at colorado.edu/scholarships/programs-departmental.
Graduate with confidence
As a CU Boulder graduate, you will enter the workforce with hands-on experience, a worldclass education and the ability to think critically—all qualities that will help you start your next chapter with confidence.
of CU Boulder graduates were employed, in grad school or in military service within 6 months of graduation 88%
median early-career salary of students with a CU Boulder bachelor's degree
$73,700 (PayScale, 2024) of CU Boulder graduates with a bachelor's degree are accepted into their first-choice graduate school
83%
Top employers
Amazon, Ball Aerospace, Charles Schwab, CU Boulder, Deloitte, Fidelity Investments, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Northrup Grumman
Holistic admission review process
We practice a holistic admission review process, which takes into account a variety of primary academic factors and secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our competitive academic environment.
All majors
3.74-4.23
Weighted high school GPA (may represent self-reported GPA)
1290-1460
SAT total (evidence-based writing/reading and math scores only)
29 to 34
ACT composite
Academic rigor
Grades & GPA
Class selection
Optional test scores
Beyond academics
Volunteer/work experience
Unique talents & background
Extenuating circumstances
First-year student application deadlines
Summer & fall early action deadline
Decision by FEB. 1 NOV. 15
Summer & fall regular decision deadline
Decision by APR. 1 JAN. 15
Application checklist
Complete the Common Application
$65 nonrefundable application fee ($70 for international)
Personal essay and one short-answer question
One academic letter of recommendation
High school/secondary school transcript or equivalent
SAT/ACT score (optional)
Transferology account (optional)
Transferology allows you to review which academic courses will transfer to CU Boulder. transferology.com/school/colorado
For more application information: colorado.edu/admissions/process/first-year/apply
All of the above materials and fees must be submitted by the
Applying as an international student?
Learn more about resources and international-specific requirements at colorado.edu/admissions/process/international
Discovery awaits.
Start your journey today.
Visit Apply
colorado.edu/admissions/visit/first-year
colorado.edu/admissions
@FutureBuffs
As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics, and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder.
To view this information online, go to colorado.edu/about/your-right-know.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals can achieve their academic and professional aspirations free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or related retaliation for raising a concern. CU Boulder does not discriminate based on protected class, which includes race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation or political philosophy.
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Visit colorado.edu/oiec to learn more.
The information in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing (August 2024). All information is subject to change without notice.