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5 min read·Last updated on Jan 30, 2026

University of Colorado Boulder | Admissions, Programs & Housing

Did you know the University of Colorado at Boulder ranks among the top 3% of universities worldwide? This impressive institution offers over 5,160 academic courses across 270+ fields, making it a top choice for students from around the globe. 

The lively Boulder CU campus is a hub of opportunity, awarding more than 9,260 degrees each year — the highest in Colorado. CU Boulder’s commitment to excellence is clear, with 21 of its students proudly earning the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, a testament to the university’s dedication to academic success and global recognition.

About the University of Colorado at Boulder

Started in 1877, the University of Colorado at Boulder is situated near the foot of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the leading universities for research in the USA. The university is known to produce some of the brightest minds in many fields—its talented alumni and faculty members are engaged in innovative, social, and humanitarian endeavours. 

CU Boulder is chosen by more than 3000 students from 100 countries. Furthermore, CU Boulder Research University finds a place among the 34 US public research universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. Its highly accomplished faculty includes MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellows, Nobel Prize winners, and awardees of the National Medal of Science and US Professor of the Year. 

Furthermore, the university’s football team, Boulder CU football, also known as the Colorado Buffaloes, infuses Folsom Field with spirit and tradition. In one of the most picturesque stadiums for college football, fans congregate in great numbers to cheer for Boulder CU football.

University of Colorado at Boulder Courses

The University of Colorado at Boulder stands out among other universities in the country due to its range of innovative educational programs. CU Boulder programs also provide students with hands-on opportunities for applying the knowledge gained through academic lessons and provide rigorous coursework that prepares students for a complex global scenario. 

Its nine schools and colleges offer more than 5160 CU Boulder programs across 270+ fields, providing students with a unique experience in academics. The following tables highlight 10 noteworthy undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the University of Colorado at Boulder: 

Undergraduate CU Boulder Majors

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CourseDegreeDuration
Mechanical EngineeringB.S.4 years
Aerospace Engineering SciencesB.S.4 years
Biomedical EngineeringB.S.4 years
Computer ScienceB.A./B.S.4 years
Environmental EngineeringB.S.4 years
Business AdministrationB.S.4 years
Chemical EngineeringB.S.4 years
Electrical EngineeringB.S.4 years
PsychologyB.A.4 years
EconomicsB.A.4 years

Graduate CU Boulder Majors

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CourseDegreeDuration
Civil EngineeringM.S.1 year
Business Analytics (STEM)M.S.10 months
Creative Technology & DesignM.S.2 years
Electrical EngineeringM.S.2 years
Environmental EngineeringM.S.18 months
Biomedical EngineeringM.S.1 year
Computer ScienceM.S.2 years
Chemical EngineeringM.S.1 year
Aerospace Engineering SciencesM.S.2 years
Mechanical EngineeringM.S.2 years

CU Boulder Admission Requirements 

Aspiring students need to be aware of the requirements for enrolling in a chosen undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Here’s a brief round-up of the essentials of applying: 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

  1. Application Platform: International applicants to the U Colorado Boulder should submit their applications via the CU Boulder Application or the Common App. 
  2. Application Fee: Candidates from foreign countries need to submit a non-refundable fee of USD 70 for applying to the Univ Colorado Boulder. 
  3. Academic Requirements: While submitting their applications, candidates fo ther University of Colorado at Boulder need to provide their academic transcript, results of standardized tests, and proof of a competitive record in academics, including their class rank and GPAs. 
  4. English Proficiency: Aspirants must also provide proof that they are proficient in the English language, by means of the results of any one test out of IELTS Academic (Min. Band Score of 6.5), TOEFL iBT (Min. Score of 83 for Engineering and 75 for other subjects), and Duolingo English Test (Min score of 125 for Engineering and 120 for other subjects). 
  5. Program-Specific Requirements: Applying for specific courses might require auditions, portfolios, or any additional material. 
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Graduate School Admission Requirements

  1. Application Platform: Aspirants need to complete their online applications through the CU Boulder Graduate School Application Portal. 
  2. Application Fee: International candidates need to pay a non-refundable fee of $80 for applying to Univ Colorado Boulder
  3. Academic Requirements: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution and a CGPA of at least 2.75 on a scale of 4.0. 
  4. English Proficiency: The test scores that are accepted by the university include IELTS (Min. band score: 6.0), TOEFL iBT (Min. Score: 75), and Duolingo English Test (Min. score: 120). 
  5. Program-Specific Requirements: Candidates for U Colorado Boulder need to submit transcripts from all the post-secondary institutions that they’ve attended, three recommendation letters, scores of standardized tests (GMAT or GRE) if needed for the program, a CV, and a statement of purpose.  

CU Boulder Deadlines 

The following tables show the deadlines for applying to the University of Colorado Boulder. Note that the dates might vary for some specific programs based on the schedules of the respective schools and colleges under Univ Colorado Boulder

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SessionDeadline 1Deadline 2
Early ActionOctober 15November 15
Regular DecisionFebruary 15March 15
SpringMarch 15July 1
SummerFebruary 15March 15
FallMarch 15July 1

How to Apply to the University of Colorado at Boulder 

Candidates need to use the CU-Boulder-specific application or the Common Application to apply for a course at the Boulder CU campus. The steps that they need to follow are summarized below: 

  1. Choosing the Application: Candidates who are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course at the Colorado University Boulder campus for the first time need to fill up the Common Application. 

As for transfer students who had enrolled in a different course earlier, filling up the CU Boulder Transfer Application is the way to go. Notably, international students can also apply through the official application portal of CU Boulder

  1. Completing the Application and Attaching Documents: After completion of the application, students need to submit the transcripts from secondary school as required for their respective programs. The transcripts need to showcase their competitive academic record throughout. 
  2. Submitting Additional Materials: Apart from the academic transcripts, students need to submit a personal essay and the answer to a short question. The other documents needed at this stage include recommendation letters and scores of standardized tests. 
  3. Paying the Application Fee: Subsequently, candidates need to pay their respective application fees to ensure their application procedure is completed successfully.  

University of Colorado at Boulder Tuition Fees 

Given below are two tables that summarize the tuition fees that students can expect at University of Colorado at Boulder

Undergraduate Studies

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CategoryPer SemesterPer Year
Undergraduate Fees & Base Tuition RateUSD 23,424USD 46,848
Supplies/BooksUSD 600USD 1,200
Meal Plans/HousingUSD 9,252USD 18,504
TotalUSD 33,276USD 66,552

Postgraduate Studies

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Program/CollegeTuition + Fee (Per Year)Total Estimated Cost
Arts & Sciences and OtherUSD 36,102USD 41,924
Business (Professional Master’s)USD 28,878USD 30,078

Scholarship Opportunities at the University of Colorado at Boulder

There are a variety of options for scholarships for studying at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

1. Graduate School Funding: The graduate school of CU Boulder offers several funding opportunities, such as the Graduate Student Travel Grants, Dissertation Completion Fellowships, CU Boulder Research Awards for Graduates Demonstrating Excellence, MFA Completion Fellowship, and Graduate Student Research Grants. 

2. CU Boulder Scholarship Application: Both graduate and undergraduate students may apply for several scholarships using the CU Boulder Scholarship Application, a centralized application for educational funding. 

3. Prestigious and National Scholarships: TheColorado University Boulder campus supports graduate students who are applying for scholarships like the Churchill Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, and the Gaither Junior Fellows Program. 

4. Departmental Scholarships: The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder provides more than 800 scholarships for students of Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences departments. Scholarships are also provided by the School of Education and the English Department. 

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Student Housing Near CU Boulder

That was all about how you can fulfill your dream of studying in one of the finest universities in the USA. Now all that’s left is finding a suitable place to stay near the University of Colorado at Boulder

Don’t worry, that can be made a smooth ride too. amber can help you find the best student housing near the University of Colorado at Boulder. Each listing on our platform is thoroughly verified for quality, safety, and convenience. And with end-to-end support, everything from shortlisting properties to signing the lease, you get a stress-free experience every step of the way. Explore the best student housing options near CU Boulder: 

  1. 11 West, Colorado
  2. The Lookout, Colorado Springs

Frequently Asked Questions

After a student is admitted to CU Boulder, how do they confirm their enrollment?

Students will need to log in to their page for the application status to confirm their intent to enroll in their chosen course. Notably, the deadline for confirmation for the fall term is May 1. Students who have been admitted to the summer term should confirm their intent to enroll when they are ready, since the registration for incoming students for summer opens mostly in April.

Once students have sent in their required documents, how do they know if the university has received them?

The application status page will show the details regarding the documents that the university has received and the ones that are yet to be received. If a student submits their credentials electronically, the authorities can take a maximum of two weeks to receive, process, and update the checklist on the status page.

Can aspirants for graduate studies submit their application before taking the GRE?

Yes, when the official scores have arrived from ETS, those will be added to the application materials. Students must ensure that the scores are received by the university within the deadline for the application.

While entering the details of their past education, what should I add under “level of study”?

In case of institutions where students have received their bachelor’s or associate's degree, they must enter “undergrad”. For institutions where they’ve received a doctoral or master’s degree, they should select “graduate”.

How does the online recommendation form for the application to CU Boulder work?

A student has to provide the university with the name and email of the person recommending them on the online application, and should click on the ‘send to recommender’ button. The email will then be sent directly, and the recommenders are linked directly to the online recommendation form.

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