University of Colorado Boulder

Acceptance rate

What CU Boulder's 71% is made of

The published rate averages groups with very different odds. These are the splits CU Boulder reports itself.

Part of Real Acceptance Rates, our series decomposing published rates from each school's own Common Data Set.

Testing

Test-Optional for 2026-27

Policy

CU Boulder is test-optional: 'ACT and SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them when reviewing your application.' No future change to test policy found. (CU Boulder is part of the University of Colorado system — distinct from the permanently test-blind University of California campuses.)

Source (medium confidence)All 100 schools

SAT middle 50%

1240–1430sum of section 25th–75th percentiles

ACT middle 50%

29–33

Average HS GPA

3.70–4.26 (weighted)Fall 2026 admitted first-year class, middle 50% (self-reported weighted GPA, all majors) · Source

Applying

Deadlines, essays and AI policy

Early deadlines

Nov 15, 2026 (EA)

Regular decision

Jan 15, 2027Source

Full cycle calendar: Application Deadlines.

At a glance

Size and cost

Undergraduate enrollment

31,939

Tuition (out-of-state)

$44,918

Category

Public

Admissions site

www.colorado.edu

Sources

• CU Boulder test policy (2026-27)
• CU Boulder GPA (Fall 2026 admitted first-year class, middle 50% (self-reported weighted GPA, all majors))
• Acceptance rate, test-score percentiles, enrollment and tuition: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, pulled 2026-08-19.

Test policy and deadlines last verified 2026-08-17.