University of Colorado Boulder Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Boulder, CO · Public · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 78% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 630–710 reading and writing, 610–720 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 29–33 composite
  • Average net price: $22,640 a year (2022–23)

University of Colorado Boulder GPA calculator 

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How does your GPA compare?

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Where you standEnter your GPA

Add a test score to compare it with what University of Colorado Boulder reported: an acceptance rate of 78% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 29–33.

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Colorado Boulder reviews each application.

University of Colorado Boulder GPA requirements

University of Colorado Boulder requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and University of Colorado Boulder hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

University of Colorado Boulder acceptance rate

University of Colorado Boulder admitted 52,539 of 67,286 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 78%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Colorado Boulder is a public 4-year university in Boulder, Colorado, with 32,244 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Colorado Boulder in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing630670710
SAT Math610670720
ACT Composite293133
ACT English273234
ACT Math262832
18% submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores, as University of Colorado Boulder reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1357 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Colorado Boulder looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Colorado Boulder's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Colorado Boulder awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $22,640 a year at University of Colorado Boulder in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

How selective is the University of Colorado Boulder?

Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Colorado Boulder admitted 78% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

Is a 3.0 GPA good enough for the University of Colorado Boulder?

GPA alone can't tell you here. University of Colorado Boulder admitted 78% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

What SAT and ACT scores do the University of Colorado Boulder students have?

The middle 50% of University of Colorado Boulder's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 630–710 in reading and writing and 610–720 in math; ACT composite 29–33, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Is the University of Colorado Boulder test optional?

Yes. University of Colorado Boulder considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 18% sent SAT scores and 6% sent ACT scores.

What GPA do you need to get into the University of Colorado Boulder?

University of Colorado Boulder requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

How important is GPA for getting into the University of Colorado Boulder?

A lot: University of Colorado Boulder requires high school GPA, high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school class rank, test scores and work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests, demonstration of competencies and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What is the University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate?

University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate was 78% for fall 2024: it admitted 52,539 of 67,286 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

Does it matter at the University of Colorado Boulder if a parent went there?

No. University of Colorado Boulder doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What do students pay at the University of Colorado Boulder after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $22,640 a year at University of Colorado Boulder in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does the University of Colorado Boulder give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of Colorado Boulder awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check the University of Colorado Boulder's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: University of Colorado BoulderU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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