More selective than 62% of Colorado colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
20% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 8% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose CU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
CU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, CU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 630 | 710 |
| SAT math | 610 | 720 |
| ACT composite | 29 | 33 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1240 | 1430 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
CU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 78% | 630–710 | 610–720 | 29–33 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 83% | 620–700 | 610–720 | 28–33 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is CU compared with other Colorado colleges?
CU has the 7th-lowest acceptance rate of 16 Colorado colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Colorado School of Mines | 61% | 82% | $28,690 |
| 4 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 75% | 46% | $11,900 |
| 5 | Fort Lewis College | 77% | 36% | $17,296 |
| 6 | University of Denver | 78% | 76% | $36,131 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Boulder | 78% | 74% | $25,346 |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University | 82% | 41% | $15,103 |
| 9 | University of Northern Colorado | 86% | 51% | $17,760 |
| 10 | Regis University | 86% | 61% | $18,397 |
| 11 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | 89% | 67% | $21,279 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Colorado colleges →
Who enrolls at CU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
CU admissions questions
What is the CU acceptance rate?
University of Colorado Boulder accepts 78% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 46,692 of 56,069 applicants were admitted.
Does CU require the SAT or ACT?
University of Colorado Boulder considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 20% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for CU?
The middle 50% of University of Colorado Boulder enrolled first-year students scored 1240–1430 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at CU?
16% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (7,546 of 46,692).
Is CU getting harder to get into?
University of Colorado Boulder accepted 78% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 83% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Colorado Boulder overview