University of Colorado Boulder campus

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CU Boulder Demographics & Diversity

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  • Boulder, CO
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#2 Best Public Universities in Colorado
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Medium

Racial Diversity Index: 47%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at CU Boulder are mostly White with a smaller Hispanic population. The school has medium racial diversity. 29% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of University of Colorado Boulder students
Race Percent of Students
White
71%
Black
2%
Hispanic
11%
Asian
5%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
6%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 14% more male students than female students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder with a gender ratio of 53% men to 47% women. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, CU Boulder has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of Colorado Boulder students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
53%
Women
47%
Enrollment by gender for University of Colorado Boulder students
Gender Number of Students
Men
20,649
Women
18,150

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 47%

CU Boulder draws 54 percent of students from Colorado, 45 percent from other states, and 2 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Colorado, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of Colorado Boulder students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
54%
Out of State
45%
Foreign
2%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$81,327 per year

15% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

38,799
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 6.4%
Part-time undergraduates 6%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to University of Colorado Boulder often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126614.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026