CU Boulder
CU Boulder SAT and ACT Requirements
CU Boulder is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1240 to 1430 on the SAT and 29 to 33 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1240–1430
ACT middle 50%
29–33
Acceptance rate
78%
CU Boulder SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 630 | 710 |
| Math | 610 | 720 |
| Total | 1240 | 1430 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 33 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1240: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1240 to 1430: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1430: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does CU Boulder require the SAT or ACT?
CU Boulder is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. 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.)
What SAT score do you need for CU Boulder?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1240, half scored between 1240 and 1430, and a quarter scored above 1430. A score at or above 1430 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1240 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for CU Boulder?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 29 to 33 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1340 to 1460.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: CU Boulder admissions, verified for 2026-27.
