The University of Colorado (CU), founded in 1876, is a world-class public research university system and a member of the Association of American Universities. CU comprises four campuses: the flagship Boulder campus, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains; the Colorado Springs campus; the Denver campus; and the Anschutz Medical Campus. The flagship campus is situated on 600 acres in the picturesque foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with an undergraduate enrollment of 33,384 students. Its alumni include 5 Nobel laureates, 9 MacArthur Fellows, and 5 National Medal of Science recipients.
Research Strength and Career Prospects
CU Boulder receives over $700 million in annual research funding and is home to renowned research institutions such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Joint Institute for Astrophysics. The university is a global leader in cutting-edge research fields such as quantum information and neural implants. The graduate employment rate consistently remains above 90%, with an average salary of $56,900 ten years after graduation.
Faculty and Student-to-Faculty Ratio
CU Boulder has over 1,200 tenured faculty members, 98% of whom hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. The faculty includes 5 Nobel laureates, 9 MacArthur Fellows, 2 National Professors of the Year, and 5 National Medal of Science recipients. According to data from Niche, the student-to-faculty ratio at CU Boulder is 16:1. The average class size is 19 students; 32% of classes have 20–39 students, and 6% of classes have over 100 students. 86% of students report that professors are interested in the subjects they teach, and 77% say professors care about their future.
Schools and Core Majors
CU Boulder comprises 9 colleges, offering over 4,000 courses across 119 academic disciplines and 236 degree programs. Details of the university’s colleges and majors are as follows:
| School Name | Representative Programs (Degree Types) |
|---|---|
| School of Engineering and Applied Sciences | Aerospace Engineering (BS), Biomedical Engineering (BS), Chemical Engineering (BS), Computer Science (BS), Electrical Engineering (BS), Mechanical Engineering (BS) |
| Leeds Business School | Business Administration (BS), Accounting, Finance, Marketing |
| School of Arts and Sciences | Psychology (BA), Economics (BA), Biology (BA), Political Science (BA), Environmental Science (BS), Computer Science (BA) |
| School of Media, Information and Design | Communication Studies (BA), Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Film Studies (BA/BFA) |
| School of Music | Music Education (MMusEd), Music Performance |
| School of Environmental Design | Architecture (BEnvD) |
| School of Education | Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education |
| Graduate School | Offers over 78 master’s and doctoral programs |
| ATLAS Institute | Creative Technology Design, Engineering Management |
Among undergraduates, the top five most popular majors are, in order: Business (16%), Biology and Biomedical Sciences (12%), Engineering (12%), Social Sciences (11%), and Communication (10%). Majors such as Computer Science and Aerospace Engineering are also highly popular among students.
Why is CU Boulder so popular?
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public Ivy League university ranked 97th overall (46th among public universities) in the U.S. It ranks 6th nationally in aerospace engineering, is recognized as one of the friendliest colleges in the country, and is named one of the top ten college towns in the U.S., offering students excellent prospects and a vibrant environment for living and learning.
