Go Further. Be Boulder. AN ADMISSIONS GUIDE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
ACHIEVE This is where ambition meets opportunity. At the University of Colorado Boulder, you’ll collaborate with faculty mentors to pursue bold questions, conduct cutting-edge research and develop groundbreaking solutions. Backed by the resources and support of our R1 university, you’ll build the skills you need to advance your education and your career.
RECENT RANKINGS: Our graduate programs rank among the top in the nation: (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Environmental Law
Aerospace Engineering
Environmental or Environmental Health Engineering
Audiology
Physics
Education Policy
most beautiful college campus in the U.S. (Travel and Leisure, 2026)
among world universities (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2025)
Earth Sciences (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2025)
DEEPEN YOUR Join our community of over 6,280 graduate students from over 100 countries, and transform your future. With access to 88 research centers and 12 research institutes, you’ll test your ideas and hone your skills with collaborative, hands-on projects that will set you apart in your career. You’ll dive deeper into the subjects that interest you, learn from professors who challenge you and connect with advisors and mentors who believe in your potential.
“It’s a place where art, science and engineering truly blend. I get to collaborate with amazing minds from around the world.”
SRUJANA GOLLA ’26
Master’s student in Creative Technology and Design, CU Boulder’s ATLAS Institute
bit.ly/cugradtakeover
LEARN MORE ABOUT GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND DEADLINES.
PROGRAMS OF STUDY Symbol Key: M Master’s degree D Doctoral degree N Programs of study not approved for form I-20 issuance
MASTER’S AND PHD PROGRAMS College of Arts and Sciences Anthropology M D Applied Mathematics M D Art History M Art of the Americas D Art Practices M Asian Languages & Civilizations M D Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences D Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences M D Audiology D Biochemistry D Chemical Physics D Chemistry D Classics M D Cognitive Science D Critical Ethnic Studies D Computational Linguistics, Analytics, Search & Informatics M Creative Writing M Dance M Earth Science M D Ecology & Evolutionary Biology M D Economics D English M D Environmental Studies M D French M D Gender & Sexuality Studies M N Geography M D Geophysics D German Studies M D
History M D Integrative Physiology M D Linguistics M D Masters of the Environment M Mathematics M D Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology D Museum & Field Studies M Neuroscience D Organizational Leadership M Outdoor Recreation Economy M Philosophy M D Physics D Political Science D Psychology D Religious Studies M Russian Studies M Sociology D Spanish M D Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences M D Theatre M D
College of Engineering & Applied Science Aerospace Engineering Sciences M D Architectural Engineering M D Artificial Intelligence M N Biological Engineering M D Biomedical Engineering M D Chemical Engineering M D Civil Engineering M D Computer Science M D Creative Technology & Design M D Data Science M Electrical & Computer Engineering M D Engineering Education D N Engineering Management M Environmental Engineering M D Materials Science & Engineering M D Mechanical Engineering M D Network Engineering M Robotics M D N Sustainable Engineering M N
College of Communication, Media, Design and Information Communication M D Corporate Communication M Emergent Technologies & Media Art Practices D Information Science M D Interdisciplinary Documentary Media Practices M Intermedia Art, Writing & Performance D Journalism M Journalism Entrepreneurship M Media & Public Engagement M Media Research & Practice D Strategic Communication Design M
College of Music Music M D Music Education M D Musical Arts D
Leeds School of Business Accounting M Business Administration M D Business Analytics M Finance M Marketing Analytics M N Real Estate M Supply Chain Analytics M Sustainable Business M N Taxation M
School of Education Curriculum & Instruction M Curriculum & Instruction + Licensure M Education D Educational Foundations, Policy & Practice M Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy M Higher Education M Learning Sciences & Human Development M Teacher Leadership M
School of Law Law D Master of Laws M Master of Studies in Law M
CERTIFICATES Certificates are for non-degree-seeking students. Advanced Mechanics & Failure Analysis Applied Shakespeare Architectural Lighting Arts Administration Asian Studies Astrodynamics & Satellite Navigation Systems Atmospheric & Oceanic Studies Behavioral Genetics Biomedical Engineering Building Resilient Communities through Outdoor Recreation Business Analytics Methods Cognitive Science College Teaching Critical Ethnic Studies Critical Theory Cultivating Compassion & Dignity in Ourselves & Our Schools Culture Language & Social Practice Data Science N Data Science Statistics Design for Circular Economy
Designing for Learning: Inquiry-Based Pedagogy for K-12 Educators Development Studies Digital Humanities Earth Data Analytics – Foundations Embedded Systems Engineering Emergent Technologies and Media Arts Practices Engineering Management Engineering Management in the Aerospace Industry Environmental Justice Food Engineering Future Faculty Development Global Engineering Healthcare Analytics Human Language Technology Hydrologic Sciences Hypersonics Inclusive & Special Education Inclusivity and Belonging in the Outdoor Recreation Economy Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Engineering Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology (IQ) International Affairs Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy Jewish Studies Leadership & Management Leading a Sustainable Business in the Outdoor Recreation Economy Leading for Change in Science Assessment Practice Mechanical Design & Product Development Molecular Biophysics Museology Music Theory Native and Indigenous Studies Oceanography Photonics Population Studies Power Electronics Project Management Public Lands & Natural Resources Policy Quantitative Methods for Behavioral Sciences Radio Frequency Engineering for Aerospace Remote Sensing Satellite System Design Social and Emotional Learning Social Innovation Space Weather & Applications Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Supply Chain Analytics TESOL Teachers Leading Change Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Water Engineering & Management Women & Gender Studies
Shape What’s Next.
Our work is never finished. There’s always a new idea to uncover, a new theory to test, a new connection to make. As one of only 38 public universities in the Association of American Universities, CU Boulder pushes the boundaries of discovery—every day. Imagine what we can create together. Sustainable solutions. Innovative business models. Research that paves the way for even bolder discoveries. And you’ll be in great company. Collaborate with Nobel laureates and National Medal of Science winners to unlock the idea that sets you apart in your field, too.
GRADUATE ADMISSION CHECKLIST To complete your application, please submit: CU Boulder graduate application Unofficial university transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Nonrefundable application fee
English proficiency score for international applicants, if applicable Check our admissions website for details.
colorado.edu/graduateschool/admissions/ where-begin/international-students
($60 for domestic students, $80 for international students)
Supplemental materials
Personal statement
Submit your completed application by the deadline for consideration. Deadlines vary by degree program.
Letter(s) of recommendation
Most programs require at least three letters of recommendation, but some programs require more.
Official GRE, GMAT or LSAT score, if applicable Most departments do not require exam scores.
Application deadlines
Check the department to which you are applying for program information, specific requirements and deadlines.
colorado.edu/graduateschool/admissions/ where-begin/program-information-deadlines
ESTIMATED RESIDENT COST:
ESTIMATED NONRESIDENT COST:
Tuition & fees: $11,198
Tuition & fees: $26,882
Books & supplies: $1,200
Books & supplies: $1,200
Health insurance: $5,296
Health insurance: $5,296
Total: $17,694
Total: $33,378
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
HOUSING & DINING
Student loans are available through the Office of Financial Aid and graduate departments offer fellowships, teaching and research assistantships and training grants to eligible students.
Explore our on-campus housing and dining options, as well as resources for finding off-campus housing.
colorado.edu/living
colorado.edu/graduateschool/funding Estimated annual cost shown here is based on 2026–27 rates for one academic year (fall and spring) in the College of Arts and Sciences (6 credit hours). Tuition and fees are determined by residency classification, area of study and graduate status. Graduate expenses vary depending on your program. Tuition and fees are billed by the university and are just one part of the overall cost to attend CU Boulder. The full cost of attendance (colorado.edu/ understand-your-cost-attendance) for an academic year may also include expenses that are not billed by the university, such as off-campus housing, personal expenses, transportation and medical insurance. View budget examples at colorado.edu/financialaid/cost/example-aid. For the most current cost, visit colorado.edu/bursar.
MAKE A VISIT Take the virtual tour, attend a virtual appointment or visit us on campus.
colorado.edu/admissions/visit/graduate
APPLY NOW Apply to your graduate program of choice, and take the next step in your academic and professional journey.
colorado.edu/graduateschool/admissions
@FutureGradBuffs
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As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the cost associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information online, go to colorado.edu/about/your-right-know. The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals can achieve their academic and professional aspirations free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or related retaliation for raising a concern. CU Boulder does not discriminate based on protected class, which includes race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Visit colorado.edu/oiec to learn more. The information in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing (September 2026). All information is subject to change without notice.