First-year deadlines, 2026–27
| Plan | Deadline | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Early action Apply early, hear early, not binding. | November 15, 2026 | February 1, 2027 |
| Regular decision The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding. | January 15, 2027 | April 1, 2027 |
Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean
Source: colorado.edu · checked September 26, 2026
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
AP credit
Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit| Exam | Min score | University of Colorado Boulder course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 4 | EBIO 1210 , EBIO 1220 , EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 | 8 credits |
| Chemistry | 5 | CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114 | 5 credits |
| Psychology | 4 | PSYC 1001 | 3 credits |
| World History: Modern | 4 | 3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that…3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements 3 | |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 lower-division Arts & Science credits that…4 lower-division Arts & Science credits that fulfill the lab portion of and count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Natural Science requirement and the CMDI Core Natural World requirement 4 | |
| Human Geography | 4 | GEOG 1992 | 3 credits |
| Music Theory | 4 | Elective credit hours 6 | |
| African American Studies | 4 | 3 lower-division Ethnic Studies (ETHN) credits…3 lower-division Ethnic Studies (ETHN) credits that count toward Social Science category of the A&S Gen. Ed. Distribution Requirement 3 |
Show all 49 exams and every score level
| Exam | Min score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 4 | EBIO 1210 , EBIO 1220 , EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 | 8 credits |
| Biology | 4 | EBIO 1210 , EBIO 1220 , EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 | 8 credits |
| Chemistry | 5 | CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114 | 5 credits |
| Psychology | 4 | PSYC 1001 | 3 credits |
| Psychology | 4 | PSYC 1001 and 3 lower-division PSYC credits that…PSYC 1001 and 3 lower-division PSYC credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Social Science requirement and the CMDI Core People and Society requirement 6 | |
| World History: Modern | 4 | 3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that…3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements 3 | |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 lower-division Arts & Science credits that…4 lower-division Arts & Science credits that fulfill the lab portion of and count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Natural Science requirement and the CMDI Core Natural World requirement 4 | |
| Human Geography | 4 | GEOG 1992 | 3 credits |
| Human Geography | 4 | GEOG 1992 and 3 lower-division GEOG credits that…GEOG 1992 and 3 lower-division GEOG credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Social Science requirement and the CMDI Core People and Society requirement 6 | |
| Music Theory | 4 | Elective credit hours 6 | |
| Music Theory | 5 | MUSC 1101 , MUSC 1111 , MUSC 1121 and MUSC 1131 | 6 credits |
| African American Studies | 4 | 3 lower-division Ethnic Studies (ETHN) credits…3 lower-division Ethnic Studies (ETHN) credits that count toward Social Science category of the A&S Gen. Ed. Distribution Requirement 3 | |
| Anthropology | 4 | ANTH 2100 and 3 lower-division credit hours that…ANTH 2100 and 3 lower-division credit hours that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Social Science requirement and the CMDI Core People and Society requirement 6 | |
| Business and Management | 4 | 6 lower-division BADM credit hours | 6 credits |
| Capstone | 4 | WRTG 1250 | 3 credits |
| Chinese A: Language and Literature | 4 | CHIN 3110 , CHIN 3120 | 10 credits |
| Composition | 3 | 400 ARSC 1999TC CO1 Written Communication | |
| Composition and Literature | 3 | 50 ARSC 1999TC AH2 Arts and Humanities | |
| Computer Science | 4 | CSCI 1300 | 4 credits |
| Computer Science | 5 | CSCI 1300 | 4 credits |
| Dance | 4 | Elective DNCE credit hours; performance scores…Elective DNCE credit hours; performance scores required to determine credit hours awarded 1-3 | |
| Design Technology | 4 | Elective credit hours 6 | |
| Economics | 4 | 4 lower-division ECON credits that count toward…4 lower-division ECON credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Social Science requirement and the CMDI Core People and Society requirement 4 | |
| Economics | 4 | ECON 2010 | 4 credits |
| English | 4 | ENGL 1500 | 3 credits |
| English A: Language and Literature | 4 | WRTG 1150 | 3 credits |
| English A: Literature | 4 | ENGL 1500 | 3 credits |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | 4 | 3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that…3 lower-division Arts & Science credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Natural Science requirement and the CMDI Core Natural World requirement 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 4 | 3 lower-division ARTS elective credits that count…3 lower-division ARTS elective credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts requirement 3 | |
| Further Mathematics | 5 | 10 lower-division MATH credits fulfilling the A&S…10 lower-division MATH credits fulfilling the A&S Gen. Ed. Quantitative Reasoning & Mathematical Skills requirement and the CMDI Core Quantitative Thinking requirement 10 | |
| Global Politics | 4 | 3 lower division PSCI credits that count toward…3 lower division PSCI credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Social Science requirement and the CMDI Core People and Society requirement 3 | |
| Government | 4 | PSCI 2012 | 3 credits |
| History | 4 | HIST 1025 | 3 credits |
| History and Social Sciences | 3 | 400 ARSC 1999TC HI1 Arts and Humanities | |
| History and Social Sciences | 3 | 50 ARSC 1999TC SS1 Social Sciences | |
| History of Africa and the Middle East | 4 | Two 3-credit lower-division HIST courses that…Two 3-credit lower-division HIST courses that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements. One of the courses will also fulfill the Global Perspectives requirement for A&S Gen. Ed. 6 | |
| History of Asia and Oceania | 4 | Two 3-credit lower division HIST that count…Two 3-credit lower division HIST that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements 6 | |
| History of Europe | 4 | HIST 1012 and 3 lower-division HIST credits that…HIST 1012 and 3 lower-division HIST credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements 6 | |
| History of the Americas | 4 | HIST 1025 and 3 lower-division HIST credits that…HIST 1025 and 3 lower-division HIST credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts and Historical Perspectives requirements 6 | |
| Humanities | 3 | 400 ARSC 1999TC AH1 Arts and Humanities | |
| Humanities | 3 | 50 ARSC 1999TC AH1 Arts and Humanities | |
| Italian B | 5 | ITAL 2110 and ITAL 2120 | 6 credits |
| Japanese A: Language and Literature | 4 | JPNS 3110 , JPNS 3120 | 10 credits |
| Japanese AB | 5 | JPNS 1010 , JPNS 1020 | 10 credits |
| Korean | 4 | Semester hours awarded and course equivalent are…Semester hours awarded and course equivalent are determined by oral exam | |
| Mathematical Studies | 4 | 3 lower-division Arts & Science credits…3 lower-division Arts & Science credits fulfilling the A&S Gen. Ed. Quantitative Reasoning & Mathematical Skills requirement and the CMDI Core Quantitative Thinking requirement 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | 400 ARSC 1999TC MA1 Quantitative Reasoning | |
| Mathematics | 4 | MATH 1300 | 5 credits |
| Mathematics | 5 | 5 lower-division MATH credits fulfilling the A&S…5 lower-division MATH credits fulfilling the A&S Gen. Ed. Quantitative Reasoning & Mathematical Skills requirement and the CMDI Core Quantitative Thinking requirement 5 | |
| Mathematics | 5 | 54 MATH 1300 MA1 Quantitative Reasoning | |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation | 4 | MATH 2510 | 3 credits |
| Philosophy | 4 | PHIL 1000 and 3 lower-division PHIL credits that…PHIL 1000 and 3 lower-division PHIL credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts requirement 6 | |
| Physics | 4 | PHYS 2010 | 5 credits |
| Physics | 4 | PHYS 2010 and PHYS 2020 | 10 credits |
| Russian B | 4 | RUSS 2010 and RUSS 2020 | 8 credits |
| Spanish A: Language and Literature | 4 | SPAN 3000 and SPAN 3100 | 8 credits |
| Sports, Exercise and Health Science | 4 | 3 lower-division IPHY credits that count toward…3 lower-division IPHY credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Natural Science requirement and the CMDI Core Natural World requirement 3 | |
| Swedish A: Language and Literature | 4 | SCAN 3020 | 3 credits |
| Theatre | 4 | THTR 1019 and 3 lower-division THTR credits that…THTR 1019 and 3 lower-division THTR credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts requirement 6 | |
| Visual Art | 4 | 6 lower-division ARTS credits that count toward…6 lower-division ARTS credits that count toward the A&S Gen. Ed. Arts and Humanities requirement and the CMDI Core Humanities and the Arts requirement. (Consult faculty with portfolio for further consideration of fine arts course equivalents) 6 | |
| World Language | 5 | CHIN 1020 , CHIN 2110 and CHIN 2120 | 15 credits |
Source: catalog.colorado.edu · checked September 19, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 1,147 |
| Psychology | 614 |
| Computer Science | 383 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 374 |
| Physiology | 333 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 283 |
| Political Science and Government | 212 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 206 |
Show the other 65 majors
| Economics | 188 |
| Environmental Studies | 180 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 158 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 152 |
| Sociology | 144 |
| Environmental Design/Architecture | 137 |
| Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology | 122 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 99 |
| English Language and Literature | 91 |
| Film/Cinema/Media Studies | 89 |
| Journalism | 87 |
| Neuroscience | 82 |
| Civil Engineering | 69 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia | 65 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 63 |
| Astronomy | 62 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 58 |
| Fine/Studio Arts | 58 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 57 |
| History | 56 |
| Physics | 56 |
| Biochemistry | 55 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 54 |
| Anthropology | 53 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 53 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 51 |
| Information Science/Studies | 51 |
| Philosophy | 51 |
| Music Performance | 49 |
| Biochemical Engineering | 48 |
| Mathematics | 45 |
| Chemical Engineering | 43 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 39 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 35 |
| Engineering | 34 |
| Architectural Engineering | 30 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 28 |
| Applied Mathematics | 26 |
| Geology/Earth Science | 24 |
| Chemistry | 23 |
| Engineering Physics/Applied Physics | 23 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 22 |
| Statistics | 17 |
| Linguistics | 17 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 16 |
| Ethnic Studies | 14 |
| Humanities/Humanistic Studies | 13 |
| Music Teacher Education | 12 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 11 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 11 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 11 |
| Women's Studies | 10 |
| Music | 9 |
| Dance | 8 |
| General Studies | 8 |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 7 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 5 |
| French Language and Literature | 5 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 4 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 4 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies | 1 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 1 |
| Italian Language and Literature | 1 |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 |
| Russian Studies | 1 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Ranked programs
Where University of Colorado Boulder ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs
- #7 for Architectural engineeringof 31 colleges
- #13 for Aerospace engineeringof 50 colleges
- #16 for Environmental engineeringof 50 colleges
- #18 for Ecology and environmental biologyof 50 colleges
- #18 for Speech-language pathologyof 50 colleges
- #22 for Business administration and managementof 50 colleges
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big 12
Basketball, Football, Golf, Skiing, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big 12
Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse, Skiing, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball
ROTC
Air Force, Army, Navy
Faith groups
Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection
Also
Honors college, Esports, Study abroad
Greek life
8% of men in fraternities · 20% of women in sororities · 14% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2022–23)
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), valormovement.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
City, midsize
Federal locale classification
Metro area
Boulder, CO
330,262 people
Big-city metro (1 million+)
No
More about the place
Nearest airport
Denver International (DEN)
Nearest hub airport
Denver International (DEN)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 17.7 of 20
Elevation
5,402 ft
Time zone
Mountain
January low
22°F
July high
88°F
Annual snowfall
92.8 in
Days at 90°F or higher
33 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$1,730 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- Naropa University0 mi
- Colorado School of Mines18 mi
- Regis University20 mi
- Colorado Christian University22 mi
- Metropolitan State University of Denver23 mi
- Colorado State University Global24 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
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Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size
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