Is CU Boulder test optional?

We haven't confirmed CU Boulder's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is CU Boulder's acceptance rate?

78% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 52,539 of 67,286 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 115%, from 31,325 in 2015 to 67,286 in 2024, and CU Boulder's admit rate went from 80% to 78%.

What ACT score do you need for CU Boulder?

6% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 27–32, with a median of 30. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1130–1370 works out to about 23–30.

What GPA do you need for CU Boulder?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.77 high school GPA, and 26% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at CU Boulder?

92 of the 1,189 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 7.7%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for CU Boulder? (Middle 50%: 1130–1370)

First-year students at CU Boulder who sent an SAT scored 1130–1370, with a median of 1260 (Common Data Set 2025–26). CU Boulder admits 78% of applicants.

University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO

Where your score lands at CU Boulder

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1130–1370, median 1260

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier CU Boulder is for you and whether to send your score.

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CU Boulder by the numbers

Admit rate: 78%
Middle 50% SAT: 1130–1370
Median SAT: 1260
About on the ACT: 23–30
Sent an SAT: 27%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

CU Boulder admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 115%, from 31,325 in 2015 to 67,286 in 2024, and CU Boulder's admit rate went from 80% to 78%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	67,286	52,539	78%
2023	56,069	46,692	83%
2022	53,781	43,416	81%
2021	54,756	43,576	80%
2020	44,203	37,221	84%
2019	40,677	31,872	78%
2018	36,604	29,848	82%
2017	36,148	28,861	80%
2016	34,047	26,087	77%
2015	31,325	24,941	80%

In fall 2024, 7,432 of the 52,539 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at CU Boulder

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1080Far reachHold
1080–1120ReachHold
1130–1250TargetHold
1260–1360TargetSend
1370 and upLikelySend

900100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

CU Boulder SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	560	630	690
SAT Reading and Writing	570	640	700
SAT total	1130	1260	1370
ACT composite	27	30	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 27% sent an SAT and 6% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.77
Top 10% of their class: 26%; of new students who reported a rank

CU Boulder waitlist

Waitlist

6,367 applicants were offered a spot, 1,189 took it, and 92 were admitted from it.

7.7%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

CU Boulder cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $25,346; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 74%
Median earnings: $69,738; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 36,209

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like CU Boulder

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Colorado

Every college for an SAT of1130 1260 1370

Sources

CU Boulder Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
CU Boulder website
University of Colorado Boulder

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1130–1370, and the median was 1260. At 1260 or higher you're above half of them. CU Boulder admits 78% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$