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University of Colorado-Boulder

7.4(5)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1876
Founded
1876
Type
Public
University Guide

About University of Colorado-Boulder

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

The University of Colorado Boulder, founded in 1876, is the flagship institution of the University of Colorado system, offering over 90 undergraduate majors, 69 minors, 36 certificates, and 78 graduate programs. As of Fall 2024, it serves over 38,000 students, including a large international student body. The estimated tuition for out-of-state undergraduates is ~$47,520 (₹41.58 Lakhs INR) per year, which covers tuition, housing, and meal plans.

Graduates from CU Boulder secure positions with leading companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, and NASA. The university boasts a 87% retention rate for first-year students in Fall 2024, signaling strong student success and engagement. Additionally, the university’s career services and alumni network significantly contribute to high job placement rates.

Also Check: University of Colorado Boulder (Spanish)

Table of Contents
  1. University of Colorado Boulder Rankings
  2. University of Colorado Boulder Programs
  3. University of Colorado Boulder Admissions

    3.1 University of Colorado Boulder PG Admission Requirements

    3.2 University of Colorado Boulder UG Admission Requirements

  4. University of Colorado Boulder Accommodations

    4.1 University of Colorado Boulder On Campus Accommodations

    4.2 University of Colorado Boulder Off Campus Accommodations

  5. University of Colorado Boulder Cost of Attendance

    5.1 University of Colorado Boulder Cost Comparison

  6. University of Colorado Boulder Scholarships
  7. University of Colorado Boulder Placements
  8. FAQs

University of Colorado Boulder Rankings

The University of Colorado is ranked at #320 in QS World University Rankings, dropping from #264 rank in 2024. Mentioned below are the ranks achieved by University of Colorado Boulder by different ranking agencies.

Ranking Type 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank 2021 Rank
QS World University Rankings #320 #=264 #=317 #251 #230
THE World University Rankings #143 #138 #=148 #158 #131
U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities #98 - #70 #62 #59

University of Colorado Boulder Programs

University of Colorado Boulder invites students to pursue over 90 degree programs. Students are offered with more than 4,300 academic courses in University of Colorado Boulder through its 9 schools and colleges. Some of the top programs in University of Colorado Boulder, and their respective fees are as follows:

Course Name Total Annual Fees (USD) Total Annual Fees (INR)
Master of Science [M.S], Business Analytics USD 39,078 ₹ 3,418,251
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Computer Science (Arts & Sciences) USD 48,440 ₹ 4,240,998
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Mechanical Engineering USD 48,440 ₹ 4,240,998
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Psychology USD 45,144 ₹ 3,950,542
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] USD 43,128 ₹ 3,780,748
Master of Science [M.S], Mechanical Engineering USD 39,078 ₹ 3,418,251
Master of Science [M.S], Telecommunications USD 39,078 ₹ 3,418,251
Master of Science [M.S], Computer Science USD 39,078 ₹ 3,418,251

University of Colorado Boulder Admissions

Admission at University of Colorado Boulder is based on many criteria, including GPA, standardized test scores, work experience, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Given below is the detailed information regarding admission to the University of Colorado.


University of Colorado Boulder PG Admission Requirements

Category PG Admission Requirements
Application Fee Graduate Application (grad.apply.colorado.edu/apply/)
Application Portal 80 USD (6,572 INR)
Academic Requirements Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution | Official transcripts
GPA or Aggregate 7 on a scale of 10 (70%)
English Proficiency Requirements TOEFL iBT: 75 | IELTS: 6.0
Standardized Test Score GRE score: 300+
SOP/LOR Personal statement | LOR
Additional Requirements Resume

University of Colorado Boulder UG Admission Requirements

Category PG Admission Requirements
Application Fee https://www.commonapp.org/
Application Portal 70 USD (6,125 INR)
Academic Requirements High school certificates
GPA or Aggregate 50-59%
English Proficiency Requirements TOEFL iBT: 75 (Writing Subscore of 19 or higher) | IELTS: 6.0 (Writing subsection of 5.5 or higher)
Standardized Test Score SAT: 1170-1370 | ACT: 26-32
SOP/LOR 1 Academic LOR
Essay Personal Essay (250-650 words) and 2 short answers
Immigration Requirements US Student Visa
Additional Requirements Financial status with sufficient fund for education and living expenses

University of Colorado Boulder Accommodations

University of Colorado Boulder has residence halls for first and second-year students. There are 23 different types of residence halls for students on campus having various facilities and amenities for residents. Most of the residence halls are located in green spaces.

All students living on campus are required to have a mandatory meal plan offered by the university residence halls. International students can also explore the off-campus student housing in USA.

University of Colorado Boulder On Campus Accommodations

Residence Type Rent Per Semester (USD) Equivalent Rent for Indians (INR)
Roommate(s) and community bath 8,475 7.41 lakhs
Roommate(s) and attached bath 9,360 8.19 lakhs
Individual space and community bath 9,360 8.19 lakhs

University of Colorado Boulder Off Campus Accommodations

Residence Name Rent Per Month (USD) Equivalent Rent for Indians (INR)
Evergreen Premier 1,883 1.65 lakhs
Durango 2,174 1.90 lakhs
Frisco 2,102 1.83 lakhs

University of Colorado Boulder Cost of Attendance

The cost of studying in University of Colorado Boulder includes tuition fee, books and supplies, housing and meals, and few other indirect expenses. The following table provides the average tuition fees and cost of living in USA for students of University of Colorado Boulder:

Expenses Undergraduate Cost (USD) Equivalent Cost for Indians (INR)
Tuition Fees 43,944 ₹38.4 Lakhs INR
Books and Supplies 1,200 ₹1.05 Lakhs INR
Room & Board 16,950 ₹14.83 Lakhs INR
Indirect Cost 77 ₹6,760 INR
Total 62,094 ₹54.33 Lakhs INR

University of Colorado Boulder Cost Comparison

University Tuition Fee (USD) Equivalent Tuition Fee for Indians (INR)
University of Colorado Boulder 37,734 to 43,944 30.96 to 36.05 lakhs
University of California Irvine 33,811.06 to 47,548.86 27.84 to 39.15 lakhs
University of California Los Angeles 33,238 27.36 lakhs

University of Colorado Boulder Scholarships

At the University of Colorado Boulder around 35% of the undergraduate students are awarded financial aids. University of Colorado Boulder scholarships can range anywhere between 350 to 15,000 USD (30,628 to 13.10 lakhs INR). The various types of aid are in the form of grants provided by federal, state and university for both residents and non-residents, in the form of loans, scholarships and work-study.

Some of the various scholarship options are:

  • Merit-based scholarships: It is offered on the basis of SAT or ACT scores.
  • Athletic and Music scholarships: These scholarships are occasionally available by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the College of Music. Offering full or partial scholarships for very talented students.

Students can also choose from various externally awarded scholarships for international students in USA. Some of the popular awards are provided below:​​

Scholarships for International Students in USA Collegedunia


University of Colorado Boulder Placements

87% of the graduates of University of Colorado Boulder are employed or pursuing higher studies after graduation. The average salary for the majority of University of Colorado Boulder alumni is reportedly 80,000 USD (70.01 lakhs INR) per year. Local and global organizations employing graduates of the University of Colorado Boulder are Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Disney, Google, IBM, NASA, etc.

Every semester, the university organises various career fairs and over 200 career events which sees participation from many reputed international and local companies. The university also offers internships and jobs abroad. A student can also connect with the employers on Handshake where there are over 8000 jobs, 4000+ internships provided by an end number of employers. 87% of graduates are employed, in grad school or in the military within 6 months of graduation.

Following are some of the commonly pursued jobs after studying in USA and the respective average salary of the employed students:

Professions Annual Average Salary (USD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
Software Engineer 86,600 71.05 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 77,700 63.75 lakhs
Aerospace Engineer 90,600 74.33 lakhs
Senior Software Engineer 121,200 99.44 lakhs
Electrical Engineer 77,000 63.17 lakhs
Data Analyst 66,300 54.39 lakhs

The University of Colorado Boulder prepares its students for a complex global society through innovative academic programs and challenging coursework. With hands-on experience, world-class education, and the capacity to think critically, internationally, and creatively, UC Boulder graduates benefit from a strong salary potential, high employment rates, and the opportunity to discover and flourish in a field they are enthusiastic about.

FAQs

Ques. Is it hard to get into University of Colorado Boulder?

Ans. No. University of Colorado Boulder admission is lightly selective with a high acceptance rate of 84%.

Ques. What GPA do you need for admission to UC Boulder?

Ans. International students need a minimum GPA of 7 on a scale of 10 for admission to the graduate programs in University of Colorado, Boulder. For admission to the undergraduate programs, a minimum aggregate of 50-59% is required.

Ques. Is Colorado Boulder a party School?

Ans. University of Colorado Boulder is known for its Party School environment but it is not the same for everyone, some students prefer studying more than anything so it depends on the student's intention.

Ques. How much is the tuition fee in UC Boulder?

Ans. The tuition fee for undergraduate programs in University of Colorado Boulder is 43,944 USD (36.05 lakhs INR). The average cost of pursuing the graduate programs in University of Colorado Boulder is 37,734 USD (30.96 lakhs INR).

Ques. What are the programs offered at UC Boulder?

Ans. University of Colorado Boulder offers more than 90 degree programs and over 3,600 academic courses through its 9 schools and colleges.

Ques. What are the placement opportunities in UC Boulder?

Ans. Graduates of University of Colorado Boulder reportedly secure employment across several renowned companies in the world. This includes Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Disney, Google, IBM, and NASA, to name a few. Students securing placement reportedly earn an average annual salary of 80,000 USD(65.63 lakhs INR) per annum.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

104

Fee from

₹14,74,672.5

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 61 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration3 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 44.2 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 47,240 /Yr
Estimated Total₹2220155
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

University of Colorado Boulder admission is lightly selective with a high acceptance rate of ~81%. The general admission requirements of University of Colorado Boulder includes official transcripts, personal statement, LOR, immigration details, standardized test scores, personal essay, financial documents and English proficiency test scores. For graduate admissions at University of Colorado Boulder you need to have a standard grade of 7/20 with an IELTS score of 6.0. The middle 50% students securing admission to the university have an average GPA of 3.5 (~89-90%) on a 4.0 scale.

The university has a total student population of over 34,400 with its Boulder campus housing over 8,000 students. Over 3000 international students from more than 100 countries opt for University of Colorado Boulder admission. Admission to University of Colorado Boulder offers over 90 undergraduate majors, 69 minors, 36 certificates, and 78 graduate programs, all within its 9 colleges and schools. The spring application deadline for University of Colorado Boulder undergraduate admissions is on October 1, the fall and summer early action deadline is on November 15 and the fall and summer regular decision deadline is on January 15.

Also Check: University of Colorado Boulder Course & Fees


University of Colorado Boulder Application Deadlines

International students are provided with a plethora of programs at University of Colorado Boulder across various academic levels. Deadlines for undergraduate programs are consistent throughout all the programs offered at the university. However, graduate programs have their own respective deadlines differing from program to program. Applicants must check their program website before applying for the same. The deadline for first-year students are listed below:

Term/Semester Deadline
Spring 2026 October 1, 2025
Fall and Summer Early Action Deadline November 15, 2025
Fall and Summer Regular Decision Deadline January 15, 2026

University of Colorado Boulder Programs

University of Colorado Boulder invites students to pursue over 90 degree programs. Students are offered with more than 4,300 academic courses in University of Colorado Boulder through its 9 schools and colleges. Some of the top programs in University of Colorado Boulder, and their respective fees are as follows:

Course Name Total Annual Fees (USD) Important Dates
Master of Science [M.S], Business Analytics $51,859
(~₹44.6 L)
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake: Feb 5, 2026 (closed)
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Computer Science (Arts & Sciences) $48,440
(~₹41.66 L)
Early action deadline: November 15, 2025
Regular decision deadline: January 15, 2026 Notifications by April 1, 2026
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Mechanical Engineering $37,620
(~₹32.35 L)
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Psychology $30,966
(~₹26.63 L)
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] $89,000
(~₹76.55 L)
Final Application deadline: March 5, 2026
Master of Science [M.S], Mechanical Engineering $38,736
(~₹33.31 L)
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake: Feb 5, 2026 (closed)
Master of Science [M.S], Telecommunications $39,078
(~₹33.61 L)
Regular decision deadline (Fall/Summer): January 15, 2026
Spring Intake: October 1, 2025
Master of Science [M.S], Computer Science $43,040
(~₹37.02 L)
For Fall 2025, the application deadline is December 15, 2025

University of Colorado Boulder Graduate Admissions

Admission requirements for the graduate programs at University of Colorado Boulder differ depending on the program the applicant is applying to. Some of the basic details of admission and requirements have been listed below.

Application Portal: Graduate Application

Application Fee: 80 USD (~6,901 INR)

Application requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (total 16 years) or 3-year Bachelor’s Degree plus 1 year of Master’s Degree in the same field
  • GPA or aggregate- 7/10
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE score
  • LOR
  • English language proficiency scores:
  • Personal statement
  • Resume

Note: Students are further advised to get in touch with the department offering their program in order to obtain specific admission requirements.


University of Colorado MBA Admissions

At Leeds School of Business, our Full-Time MBA program offers a fully immersive experience that allows you to explore various business sectors—with the flexibility to ‘try on’ different areas so you can figure out what’s next. Applications for the MBA program are accepted till May 15 for the August intake. Candidates are encouraged to apply early for the best admission and scholarship consideration. International applicants should apply by Round 3 to allow sufficient time for the visa process.

Application Portal: Leeds School of Business Portal

Application Fee: 70 USD (~6,040 INR)

Application requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Average GPA 3.4/4.0
  • Official transcripts
  • Average GMAT Scores - 620
  • 1-2 LOR
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL iBT- 100
    • IELTS- 7.0
  • Essay (750 words)
  • Resume
  • Interview is required for selected applicants.

University of Colorado Boulder MBA Class Profile

The following table shows the MBA class profile of Class of 2024:

Particulars Details
Class Size 75
International Students 21%
Women 29%
Men 71%
Average Age 28
Average Experience 5 years

University of Colorado Boulder Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Colorado Boulder welcomes students from all over the world to come and experience programs in their fields of interest. The university also has country specific academic requirements for undergraduate courses. The details of admission to the undergraduate programs at CU Boulder are as follows:

Application Portal: Online Common Application

Application Fee: 70 USD (~6,040 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • High school certificates
  • GPA or aggregate- 50-59%
  • Academic transcripts
  • SAT or ACT Scores (optional)
    • SAT- 1170-1370
    • ACT- 26-32
  • 1 academic LOR for USA
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL iBT- 75 (Writing Subscore of 19 or higher)
    • IELTS- 6.0 (Writing subsection of 5.5 or higher)
  • Personal Essay (250-650 words) and 2 short answers
  • Proof of visa
  • Financial status with sufficient fund for education and living expenses​
  • Applicants need to submit 2 different essays for Personal essay and writing supplement
  • High school transcripts need to be mailed at [email protected]

University of Colorado Boulder Admission Decision

  • First-year applicants who complete their file by Nov. 15 are guaranteed early action and will receive an admission decision on or before Feb. 1.
  • The first-year regular decision application deadline is Jan. 15. All applicants with completed files by Jan. 15 will be notified of their admission decision no later than April 1. Students should, if they choose to attend, confirm their intent to enroll by May 1.

University of Colorado Boulder Selection Criteria

University of Colorado Boulder admissions are slightly competitive with an acceptance rate of 84%. Applicants aspirings to study at the university need to funfill admission requirements set by the University of Colorado Boulder.

Course Wise selection test score and GPA at the University of Colorado Boulder is given the following:

School/Department High School GPA SAT Score ACT Score
All Majors 3.52-4.0 1170-1370 26-32
College of Engineering and Applied Science 3.89-4.0 1310-1480 29-34
College of Arts and Science 3.53-4.0 1160-1360 26-32
College of Media communication & Information 3.48-4.0 1160-1300 25-30
College of Music 3.69-4.0 1210-1400 24-31
School of Education 3.46-4.0 1080-1250 22-29
Program in Environment Design 3.63-4.0 1160-1340 26-31
Leeds School of Business 3.73-4.0 1300-1410 29-32

Admissions to the university are considered on a holistic basis. All documents are to be uploaded online with the application form. This means that the university primarily considers factors like academic records and then other secondary factors. Applicants are considered on an individual basis even though admissions to the institute are competitive.

FAQs

Ques. Will I get into UC Boulder with a 30 ACT, 4.0 weighted GPA, and 3.7 unweighted GPA?

Ans. Your chances are strong, as UC Boulder generally admits students with similar scores. However, competitiveness also depends on the program you're applying to.

Ques. Can I appeal if denied from CU Boulder Engineering but admitted to Exploratory Studies?

Ans. Yes, you can appeal, but it’s a tough process. You'll need to demonstrate new achievements or compelling reasons for reconsideration.

Ques. Can I get into CU Boulder with a 2.5 GPA and 1050 SAT?

Ans. It’s unlikely to get into CU Boulder with these scores, as the university typically admits students with higher academic achievements. Consider strengthening your profile or exploring other pathways.

Ques. Has anyone been accepted to CU Boulder with a lower GPA and SAT scores?

Ans. Some students with lower scores may get in, but it’s rare. If your application has strong extracurriculars or other standout qualities, it could improve your chances.

Placements & Recruiters

University of Colorado-Boulder Placement Details

University of Colorado-Boulder in Boulder, Colorado, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Boulder, Colorado, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #21
  • Earth Sciences: #1 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 36 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 6 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #29
  • Computer Science: #14 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 35 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Humanities
  • 3 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #38
  • Earth Sciences: #9 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 35 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 4 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #36
  • Geography: #7 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 31 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Philosophy
  • 4 ranking records in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #45
  • Engineering: #41 in country
  • Top source: Collegedunia
  • 7 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

Regent Drive At Broadway, Boulder, CO 80309

+1-303-492-1411

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

7.4/10
Top Rated

Based on 5 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.4/10
Faculty
9.4/10
Infrastructure
8.8/10
Accommodation
6.8/10
Placement
7.4/10
Extracurricular
9.0/10