Rankings of University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship campus of the University of Colorado System. It is a member of the prestigious Association of America Universities, an invitation-only group of 66 institutions from the US and Canada focused on high quality research and education. CU Boulder offers dozens of programs in a range of academic fields, and it serves some of the world’s most dynamic research and innovation hubs.

Latest ranking updates for University of Colorado Boulder
  • March 2024: Publication of Scimago Institutions Rankings. Ranking position #169.
  • January 2024: THE World’s Most International Universities update. University of Colorado Boulder achieves place 144.
  • December 2023: Urap announced latest results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance with University of Colorado Boulder in position 168.
  • December 2023: Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science) update. University of Colorado Boulder achieves place 151.

University rankings

    • #182 
    • #182 
    Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
    [Published 14 September, 2021]
    • #46 
    • #138 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #50 
    • #264 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #201 
    QS Employability Rankings
    [Published 23 September, 2021]
    • #110 
    • #105 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 17 September, 2023]
    • #35 
    • #81 
    THE World Reputation Rankings
    [Published 27 July, 2023]
    • #103 
    • #103 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 30 August, 2022]
    • #133 
    • #135 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #33 
    • #70 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #31 
    • #57 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2023]
    • #130 
    • #132 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 28 August, 2022]
    • #47 
    • #144 
    THE World’s Most International Universities
    [Published 25 January, 2024]
    • #368 
    • #375 
    Kiplinger's Best College Values
    [Published 31 July, 2019]
    • #48 
    • #48 
    The Princeton Review: Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Public Schools)
    [Published 26 April, 2022]
    • #55 
    • #211 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 22 June, 2022]
    • #53 
    • #169 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #39 
    • #69 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #35 
    • #88 
    Nature Index - Academic
    [Published 15 June, 2023]
    • #46 
    • #134 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #168 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #112 
    • #458 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #145 
    • #784 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #104 
    • #328 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #461 
    • #464 
    MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #251 
    • #350 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #134 
    • #135 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #38 
    • #44 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Universities in the World
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #38 
    • #42 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #37 
    • #253 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #110 
    • #333 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #59 
    • #159 
    THE Top Universities for a Digital Education
    [Published 10 May, 2022]
    • #43 
    • #111 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Agriculture

    • #5 
    • #14 
    Agriculture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Architecture, Building & Planning

    • #10 
    • #84 
    Architecture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Business

    • #54 
    • #209 
    Business
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #33 
    • #51 
    Finance
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #68 
    • #151 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #80 
    • #80 
    Computer Science
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #42 
    • #126 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #86 
    • #192 
    Computer Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Education

    • #25 
    • #33 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #43 
    • #41 
    Education
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #31 
    • #72 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #81 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #101 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Engineering

    • #4 
    • #15 
    Aerospace Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #6 
    • #16 
    Aerospace Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #7 
    • #27 
    Chemical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #35 
    • #94 
    Chemical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #28 
    • #191 
    Chemical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #84 
    Civil Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #84 
    Civil Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #12 
    • #101 
    Civil Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #23 
    Engineering
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #34 
    • #101 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #115 
    • #115 
    Engineering
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #35 
    • #212 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #57 
    Environmental Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #93 
    Materials Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #57 
    Mechanical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #101 
    Mechanical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #162 
    Mechanical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #25 
    • #47 
    Journalism
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #55 
    • #251 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Law

    • #36 
    • #40 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #49 
    • #49 
    Law
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #32 
    • #126 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #301 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Mathematics

    • #44 
    • #125 
    Mathematics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #43 
    • #151 
    Mathematics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #56 
    • #201 
    Mathematics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Medicine & Health

    • #72 
    • #72 
    Nursing & Health Care
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Natural Sciences

    • #42 
    • #104 
    Chemistry
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #151 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #43 
    • #151 
    Chemistry
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #6 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #12 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #14 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #76 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #19 
    • #57 
    Anthropology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #101 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #48 
    • #101 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #210 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #25 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #51 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #133 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #47 
    • #76 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #42 
    • #95 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #52 
    • #151 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #65 
    • #181 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #137 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #151 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #37 
    • #51 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #44 
    • #139 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #49 
    • #201 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for University of Colorado Boulder

Geology URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#6 
Natural Sciences
Agriculture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#14 
Agriculture
Aerospace Engineering URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#15 
Engineering
Geography GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#25 
Social Studies & Humanities
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#33 
Education
Law GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#40 
Law
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#47 
Journalism & Media Studies
Finance GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#51 
Business
Nursing & Health Care Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#72 
Medicine & Health
Computer Science Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#80 
Computer Science

About University of Colorado Boulder

PROS

  • CU Boulder has a plethora of social events for students, an excellent way to start making contacts. The vibrant social atmosphere is a real plus for many of the students, especially those who come from other states or countries.
  • The university takes pride in its club selection. There are spaces for sports competitions, activism, art disciplines, and much more.
  • CU Boulder receives frequent visits from prominent public figures and experts, who impart seminars or talks for the student body.

CONS

  • Common opinion is that the student housing is expensive, especially considering that many of the rooms are quite modest and basic.
  • The food at the campus dining halls is repetitive, and also not the best quality. Many students eat off -campus.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1876
Telephone:
(303) 492-6301
Address:
Regent Drive at Broadway
80309-00, Boulder
USA
Website:
https://www.colorado.edu/
Social:
Nobel prize laureates:
David J. Wineland (, 2012)
 
David J. Wineland (, 2012)
 
Thomas R. Cech (, 1989)
  • CU Boulder: A Day in the Life
  • I Wish I Had Known | CU Boulder
  • Inside Williams Village | CU Boulder
  • Student Expression at CU Boulder | CU Boulder
  • What to Bring to Campus When You Move In | CU Boulder

Map of University of Colorado Boulder

FAQ

University of Colorado Boulder ranks #59 in USA in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 1924 universities in USA.

University of Colorado Boulder ranks #1 in Boulder in our meta ranking.

University of Colorado Boulder is listed in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings, US News Best National Universities, THE World Reputation Rankings and more. See all 43 rankings of University of Colorado Boulder.

University of Colorado Boulder achieved #42 in UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for University of Colorado Boulder.

University of Colorado Boulder achieved the highest ranking for Natural Sciences. It is ranked #1 in (Earth Sciences). See all subject rankings for University of Colorado Boulder.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings University of Colorado Boulder ranks #1 among universities in Boulder and #59 among universities in USA. See all rankings of University of Colorado Boulder.

In our meta ranking University of Colorado Boulder ranks #59 among all universities in USA and Stanford University ranks #1. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.