History
We opened our doors on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1876. We were able to build Old Main, our first building, with donations from our generous community and land that was donated by three prominent Boulder residents.
Education
Innovative academic programs, hands-on opportunities and rigorous course work will prepare you for a complex global society. While interacting with our faculty, which includes five Nobel laureates, eight MacArthur "Genius Grant" fellows, two U.S. Professors of the Year and four National Medal of Science winners, you'll develop a broad understanding of the world, strong leadership skills and an enhanced ability to think critically.
CU Boulder has a global reputation for outstanding teaching, research and creative work across more than 150 academic fields. Find a program based on your interests and talents.
Research
Research at CU Boulder encompasses thousands of scholarly, scientific and creative endeavors at any given time, resulting in new knowledge, technologies and creative work that advance the economy, culture and health of Colorado, the nation and the world.
Career
CU Boulder Career Services empowers students and alumni to become more employable and find meaningful work by being active participants in the career development process.
- Major and Career Exploration
Our career development advisors can help you pick the right major and focus your goals for your future beyond CU Boulder.
- Industry Nights
Smaller versions of our career fairs that focus on specific industries and networking.
- CliftonStrengths and Professional Assessments
Assessments help you find the words to understand yourself, describe yourself, and narrow your professional interests.
- Mock Interviews
Practice and perfect your interview skills before the real deal.
- Resume and Cover Letter Help
- Career Fairs
Student services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) seeks to support international students and scholars in pursuing their educational, research, and/or professional objectives at the university through comprehensive advising; engagement and programming; and advocacy efforts.
Housing services
The residence halls offer a first-year living experience, where students will live in cohorts based on their college. Additionally, for students with a status of second-year and beyond, Bear Creek offers an apartment-style living option that provides students with more independent living while maintaining access to campus resources.
Library services
The mission of the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries Special Collections, Archives, and Preservation Department (SCAP) is to collect, arrange, preserve, and make accessible the collections of the University's history as well as rare and unique collections that support the University's administration, teaching, research, and service.
ICT services
Support options for campus technology including desktop and software support.
Medical services
Medical Services (formerly Wardenburg Health Services) is the primary health care resource for CU Boulder students. Through comprehensive care and education we strive to give students the skills and knowledge they need to develop healthy life-long habits.
Sports facilities
The University of Colorado Boulder has two indoor recreation facilities, 3 artificial turf fields, 4 natural grass fields, 4 outdoor basketball courts, 3 tennis courts, and a challenge ropes course. These are all located throughout campus and provide a variety of amenities and operating hours. Come and explore the different opportunities that await you!
Student clubs
We’re not bragging when we say there’s a lot to do at CU. Whether it’s environmental protection, artistic expression, social justice or athletic competition that sparks your interest, our more than 550 recognized student organizations have something for everyone.
Accreditation
The University of Colorado Boulder is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The NCA is a membership organization of colleges and schools in nineteen states ranging from Michigan to Arizona, including Colorado.
University of Colorado at Boulder Overview
University of Colorado at Boulder Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 1.9% United States
Top 2.8% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
62
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Climbed 3 places compared to 2024
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | 65 | 62 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
107
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 9 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 98 | 107 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
159
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 16 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 138 | 143 | 159 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
299
By TopUniversities
Climbed 21 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 264 | 320 | 299 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of Colorado at Boulder Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Boulder City
University of Colorado at Boulder Student Reviews & Awards
4.3
Based on 25 reviews
- 5 Star 14 Reviews
- 4 Star 8 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.8
- Student Diversity 4.7
- Quality of Student Life 4.6
- Career Development 4.8
Boulder Review
Boulder really emphasizes the importance of studying abroad. Through Boulder's multiple grants and scholarships, I had the ability to go abroad on three separate occasions while gaining class credit. I have had multiple opportunities to get involved on campus, and all of the professors love when you talk to them about your passions. Overall, Boulder is a very inclusive environment and is very progressive. There is also the aspect of college life that is very prevalent at Boulder, so there is something for everyone. I think sometimes applying for classes can be stressful. There are many students who were drawn to Boulder for their phycology program and sometimes there are not enough seats for everyone to graduate on-time (for that specific major). When thinking about my choice to go to CU Boulder, I would not change anything. The classes challenged me in ways I would not have expected and I was always treated with respect by my peers and professors.
Graphic Design Level 3
I was struggling to find the right graphic design course until I came across the Creative Design School. Straight away, I realised this was the perfect course for me. I was looking for a course I could do online that was flexible and would work around my everyday life. I was impressed by the modules and what they covered, and that you get one-to-one tutor support throughout the course. I also needed help with building a professional portfolio, which this course covered. I would highly recommend this course. I have learned so much from covering design briefs and how important it is to use a journal, and so much more. I now have a professional-looking portfolio. My tutor, Pete, has been amazing with great advice and support throughout the course.
2/5
Fees are high and I'm struggling to make ends meet
A good uni is all about the vibe, the people, and the opportunities. For me, it's the exceptional lecturers and awesome friends that make it worthwhile. Moreover A good environment can really shape a uni experience. Supportive environment + awesome people = solid foundation to navigate the challenges
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?