The University of Colorado Boulder is a leading public research university set against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, renowned for aerospace engineering and atmospheric and space research. CU Boulder partners with NOAA and NASA on major research initiatives and offers a distinctive combination of academic rigor and outdoor recreation.
Mascot: Buffalo
Notable Alumni
Robert Redford (Academy Award-winning filmmaker)•Trey Parker (co-creator of South Park)•Matt Stone (co-creator of South Park)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Boulder is a lifestyle school where the Flatirons backdrop and Boulder's famous '300 days of sunshine' make outdoor recreation a core part of the social identity — students ski, hike, and trail run as casually as other schools tailgate. The Hill neighborhood adjacent to campus is a well-established party district, and CU consistently ranks among top party schools despite administration efforts to tone things down. Greek life is present but secondary to Boulder's broader outdoor-adventure and cannabis-friendly culture for social energy.
Charles Klauder's Tuscan Vernacular style -- locally quarried sandstone walls with red clay tile roofs -- creates one of the most unified and distinctive campuses in America, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Flatirons. The deliberate 'group effect' architecture combined with the Rocky Mountain panorama is genuinely stunning.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
CU Boulder Police provide 24/7 patrols with electronically secured dorms, trained security staff, and CU Safety Alerts. The campus is generally safe, though occasional incidents occur.
Boulder has an elevated overall crime rate, but the vast majority is property crime. The Hill neighborhood near campus sees more party-related incidents; residential areas are quite safe.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Most weekdays at 9:30am and 1:30pm (Sept-May); 8:30am and 11am (June-Aug); select Saturdays at 10:30am
Duration: ~2 hours (info session + 90-min student-led walking tour)
Free. Register at ugrad.apply.colorado.edu. Admitted Student Day in April. Bring comfortable shoes -- campus has some elevation changes.
Book a TourDownload the free CU Boulder app by YouVisit LLC for a GPS-enabled virtual tour. Searchable by building with photos, descriptions, and wayfinding directions. Self-guided route starts at Lot 440 on Regent Drive.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through October for stunning fall colors against the Flatirons. April through May for spring weather and admitted student events. Boulder averages 300 days of sunshine. Avoid late November through February for cold and potential snow, though the mountain views are spectacular year-round.
Metered visitor parking in campus lots (pink zones on map at colorado.edu/pts/ucb-parking-map). Pay by coin, credit card, or ParkMobile app. Folsom and Euclid garages open 24/7. RTD bus system connects Boulder to Denver. Denver International Airport (DEN) is 45 miles (~1 hour) east via US-36. The Flatiron Flyer bus runs DEN to Boulder.
Location
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