University of Colorado Boulder acceptance rate, scores and deadlines
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from CU Boulder's admissions site.
Acceptance rate
CU Boulder acceptance rate by year
51,716 of 73,180 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 78.1% for Fall 2024.
Show the numbers
| Entering class | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 73,180 | 51,716 | 70.7% | Common Data Set |
| Fall 2024 | 67,286 | 52,539 | 78.1% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2023 | 56,069 | 46,692 | 83.3% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2022 | 53,781 | 43,416 | 80.7% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2021 | 54,756 | 43,576 | 79.6% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2020 | 44,203 | 37,221 | 84.2% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2019 | 40,677 | 31,872 | 78.3% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2018 | 36,604 | 29,848 | 81.5% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2017 | 36,148 | 28,861 | 79.8% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2016 | 34,047 | 26,087 | 76.6% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2015 | 31,325 | 24,941 | 79.6% | IPEDS |
2026–27 applications
CU Boulder deadlines for 2026–27
Apply with Common App. Checked October 24, 2026 on CU Boulder's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.
- Early action Apply by Decisions By February 1
- Regular decision Apply by Decisions By April 1
Early rounds
Early decision and early action at CU Boulder
CU Boulder offers early action for 2026–27. It does not publish separate early admit rates in its Common Data Set.
Scores and GPA
Test scores and GPA at CU Boulder
Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.
- 4.043.6%
- 3.75–3.9920.8%
- 3.50–3.7417.1%
- 3.25–3.4911.5%
- 3.00–3.245.4%
- 2.50–2.991.6%
- Below 2.500.0%
What counts
What CU Boulder weighs
From section C7 of CU Boulder's Common Data Set 2025–26.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
Important
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- First-generation status
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- Interview
- Alumni relation
- Religious affiliation
- Demonstrated interest
Waitlist
CU Boulder waitlist
6,367 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 1,189 accepted it, and 92 were admitted from it (7.7% of those who stayed on).
Cost
What CU Boulder costs
From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use CU Boulder's net price calculator.
Compare
Colleges with a similar acceptance rate
Close to CU Boulder's 70.7%, from the same official data.
FAQ
Questions about CU Boulder admissions
What is CU Boulder's acceptance rate?
CU Boulder admitted 51,716 of 73,180 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 70.7%. That is down from 78.1% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.
Is CU Boulder test-optional for 2026–27?
Yes. CU Boulder is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.
When are CU Boulder's application deadlines for 2026–27?
Early action: November 15, 2026; Regular decision: January 15, 2027. Check CU Boulder's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.
What SAT score do you need for CU Boulder?
There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1130–1370 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 27% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1370 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.
Where the numbers come from
Sources
- University of Colorado Boulder Common Data Set 2025–26
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), IPEDS admissions 2015–2024
- CU Boulder first-year admissions, checked October 24, 2026
Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.
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