University of Colorado Boulder: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 78%. The flagship campus of Colorado's university system, CU Boulder's 600-acre campus is located in the heart of Boulder. The university is a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities because of its strong research programs, and CU Boulder was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. The University of Colorado Boulder ranks among the top public universities and is one of the top colleges in Colorado and top schools in the Mountain States.

CU Boulder offers 85 undergraduate majors in its five colleges and four schools. Outside of the classroom, students can participate in a number of clubs and organizations, including academic honor societies, recreational clubs, and performing arts groups. On the athletic front, the CU Boulder Buffaloes compete in the NCAA Division I Pac 12 Conference.

Considering applying to the University of Colorado Boulder? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, University of Colorado had an acceptance rate of 78%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 78 students were admitted, making CU Boulder's admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

The University of Colorado requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 72% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

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This admissions data tells us that most of CU Boulder's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to University of Colorado scored between 580 and 670, while 25% scored below 580 and 25% scored above 670. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 690, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 690. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1360 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at University of Colorado.

Requirements

CU Boulder does not require the optional SAT essay section or SAT Subject tests. Note that University of Colorado participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

The University of Colorado requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 47% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of University of Colorado's admitted students fall within the top 22% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to CU Boulder received a composite ACT score between 25 and 31, while 25% scored above 31 and 25% scored below 25.

Requirements

The University of Colorado does not require the optional ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, CU Boulder superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of University of Colorado Boulder's incoming freshmen class had high school GPAs between 3.52 and 4.0, 25% had a GPA above 4.0, and 25% had a GPA below 3.52. These results suggest that most successful applicants to CU Boulder have primarily A and B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to University of Colorado Boulder. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of Colorado Boulder, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, CU Boulder has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. CU Boulder is looking for an upward trend in grades combined with a rigorous course schedule. They are also looking for strong application essays and participation in meaningful extracurricular activities, Applicants need to submit a letter of recommendation, so be sure to choose someone who knows you well.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. The great majority of admitted applicants had a high school average of "B" or higher, a combined SAT score of 1050 or higher (ERW+M), and an ACT composite score of 21 or higher. The higher those numbers, the better. You'll notice very few rejected students (red dots) or waitlisted students (yellow dots) in the upper-right corner of the graph.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and University of Colorado Boulder Undergraduate Admissions Office.