University of Colorado Boulder Acceptance Rate
Boulder, Colorado · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 56,069
- Admitted
- 46,692
- Yield
- 16.2%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate has fallen from 84.2% in 2014–15 to 83.3% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 28,852 to 56,069 (+94%) over that period.
Its 83.3% rate makes University of Colorado Boulder more selective than about 35% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 17 tracked Colorado schools, it is more selective than about 53%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (87.1% for women vs 79.3% for men, a 7.8-point gap). University of Colorado Boulder has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 16.2% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 28,852 | 24,282 | 84.2% | 5,869 |
| 2015–16 | 31,325 | 24,941 | 79.6% | 6,208 |
| 2016–17 | 34,047 | 26,087 | 76.6% | 6,439 |
| 2017–18 | 36,148 | 28,861 | 79.8% | 6,569 |
| 2018–19 | 36,604 | 29,848 | 81.5% | 6,700 |
| 2019–20 | 40,677 | 31,872 | 78.4% | 7,113 |
| 2020–21 | 44,203 | 37,221 | 84.2% | 6,326 |
| 2021–22 | 54,756 | 43,576 | 79.6% | 6,785 |
| 2022–23 | 53,781 | 43,416 | 80.7% | 7,106 |
| 2023–24 | 56,069 | 46,692 | 83.3% | 7,546 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 28,578 | 24,895 | 87.1% |
| Men | 27,490 | 21,796 | 79.3% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 620–700 | 20% |
| SAT Math | 610–720 | |
| ACT Composite | 28–33 | 8% |
How University of Colorado compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate?
University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate is 83.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (46,692 admitted of 56,069 applicants).
Is University of Colorado Boulder test optional?
University of Colorado Boulder is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Colorado Boulder?
University of Colorado Boulder received 56,069 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 46,692.
What SAT score do you need for University of Colorado Boulder?
Admitted students at University of Colorado Boulder typically scored 620–700 on SAT Reading/Writing and 610–720 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Colorado Boulder getting harder to get into?
University of Colorado Boulder has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 84.2% in 2014–15 to 83.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.colorado.edu/.