CU Boulder Admission Requirements
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CU Boulder Admission Overview
CU Boulder admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CU Boulder admitted 78.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (A-) and SAT 1240-1430 / ACT 29-33. CU Boulder is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CU Boulder is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
CU Boulder Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for University of Colorado Boulder
Acceptance Rate
The CU Boulder acceptance rate is 78.1%. Last year, 52,539 of 67,286 applicants were admitted. That is the 6th lowest acceptance rate in Colorado.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CU Boulder and can you get accepted?
CU Boulder is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
University of Colorado Boulder typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CU Boulder GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.68Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.68
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CU Boulder typically have around a 3.68 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. CU Boulder is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
34% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #6 in Colorado for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CU Boulder Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Colorado Boulder is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2027 application cycle. SAT and ACT scores are not required. Students who want scores considered should say so on the Common Application and may self-report scores, upload an unofficial report, or send official results from the testing agency by the application deadline. CU Boulder uses the highest section scores across test dates.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.colorado.edu/admissions/process/first-year/plan
CU Boulder SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1240-1430Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 630
- Math 610
- Composite 1240
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 710
- Math 720
- Composite 1430
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CU Boulder typically score around a 1340 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1430) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 91st percentile nationally. CU Boulder ranks #3 in the state of Colorado and #152 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1430
SAT policy
CU Boulder is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CU Boulder ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
29-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
6%25th Percentile Scores
- English 27
- Math 26
- Composite 29
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 32
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CU Boulder typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 29–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CU Boulder places #1 among colleges in Colorado and #90 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 33
ACT policy
You may apply to CU Boulder without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
52% of University of Colorado Boulder freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 26% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the CU Boulder chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Colorado Boulder and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Colorado Boulder is $65.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CU Boulder is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 78.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1430); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Colorado Boulder often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126614.
GPA calculator: University of Colorado Boulder GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026