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University of Colorado Boulder Ranking Badges

CU - Boulder earned 196 ranking badges in the 2027 College Factual rankings: 12 in the top 1%, 60 in the top 5%, 65 in the top 10% and 59 in the top 15% of the schools in each ranking. Its highest placement is #1 of 126 in Most Popular for Astronomy & Astrophysics, a top 1% award.

Key facts

• Badges earned: 196 (2027 edition)
• In the top 1% / top 5%: 12 / 60
• Highest placement: #1 of 126, a top 1% award
• Fields of study with a badge: 24
• Placements this edition: 493
• Badge cutoff: a top 15% placement in a ranking

Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.

How Many Ranking Badges Has University of Colorado Boulder Earned?

University of Colorado Boulder holds 196 ranking badges across 24 fields of study, 72 of them in the top 5% or better; each badge is an award for placing in the top 15% of a ranking. Each ranking is recalculated when updated data becomes available. The awards below are from the 2027 edition. This page indicates the top award category achieved for this year. See our data sources and methodologies. If you are an administrator interested in using our badge program to showcase your college’s strengths, please contact us.

Count by Award Level

Award Level	Badges
Top 1%	12
Top 5%	60
Top 10%	65
Top 15%	59
Total	196

What Is University of Colorado Boulder Known For?

University of Colorado Boulder is best known for Engineering: 14 of its 125 traditional-student awards are in that field. Its top-ranked majors include Environmental Design, Engineering Physics and Computational Science.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Best			✓
Overall Best (Rocky Mountains)			✓
Overall Best (Colorado)			✓
Location Diversity		✓
Location Diversity (Rocky Mountains)	✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Popular (Rocky Mountains)			✓
Most Popular (Colorado)				✓
Highest Paid Graduates (Rocky Mountains)	✓
Highest Paid Graduates (Colorado)	✓

Architecture/Urban Planning

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular	✓
Environmental Design
Most Popular				✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Most Focused	✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Most Popular		✓
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
Most Popular		✓
Ecology & Systematics Biology
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Most Popular	✓
Physiology & Pathology Sciences
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused	✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Finance & Financial Management
Top Ranked		✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Journalism
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Public Relations & Advertising
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular	✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Education Philosophy
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
General Education
Top Ranked	✓
Multilingual Education
Most Popular		✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked				✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Aeronautical Engineering
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Most Focused	✓
Electrical Engineering
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
Engineering Physics
Most Popular	✓
Highest Paid Graduates				✓
Environmental Engineering
Most Popular			✓
General Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular				✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Mechanical Engineering
Most Popular			✓

Engineering Technologies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
General Engineering Technology
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
General English Literature
Most Popular			✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Ethnic Studies
Most Popular	✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Classical Languages & Literature
Most Popular			✓
East Asian Languages
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Linguistics & Literature
Most Popular	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular	✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
History
Most Popular			✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked			✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Applied Mathematics
Most Popular	✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Mathematics
Most Popular		✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Computational Science
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused			✓
Geography and Environmental Studies.
Most Popular			✓
International Studies
Most Popular			✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Most Popular				✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Philosophy
Most Popular			✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Most Popular				✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Atmospheric Sciences
Most Popular		✓
Chemistry
Most Popular		✓
Geological & Earth Sciences
Most Popular		✓
Physics
Most Popular				✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Child Development & Psychology
Top Ranked	✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Community Organization & Advocacy
Top Ranked		✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Anthropology
Most Popular		✓
Economics
Most Popular		✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓
Sociology
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked		✓
Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Most Popular		✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Most Popular		✓
Music
Most Popular			✓

How Does University of Colorado Boulder Rank in Athletics?

In College Factual’s 2027 athletics rankings, University of Colorado Boulder earned 7 badges across 4 sports; its highest placement is #70 of 933 in Basketball.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Athletics (D1)	✓
Overall Athletics	✓

Men’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball		✓
Basketball (D1)	✓

Women’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball		✓
Basketball (D1)	✓
Lacrosse	✓

How Does University of Colorado Boulder Rank for Online Students?

In College Factual’s 2027 online-program rankings, University of Colorado Boulder earned 4 badges across 4 online programs, 3 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #1 of 9 in Most Popular Online for Computational Science.

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Computer Science
Most Popular Online			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Electrical Engineering
Most Popular Online		✓
General Engineering
Most Popular Online			✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Computational Science
Most Popular Online				✓

How Does University of Colorado Boulder Rank for Veterans?

In College Factual’s 2027 veterans rankings, University of Colorado Boulder earned 60 badges, 8 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #56 of 4,939 in Best for Veterans.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Best for Veterans			✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Ecology & Systematics Biology
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Physiology & Pathology Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Finance & Financial Management
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Taxation
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Journalism
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Public Relations & Advertising
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Information Science
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Biomedical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Civil Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Electrical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
General Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Mechanical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
General English Literature
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Area Studies
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Ethnic Studies
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
East Asian Languages
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
History
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Mathematics
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Computational Science
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
International Studies
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Chemistry
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Anthropology
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Economics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Sociology
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Dance
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Music
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Continue Your Research on CU - Boulder

• All rankings for CU - Boulder
• CU - Boulder overview
• Best Colleges ranking
• CU - Boulder official website
• CU - Boulder on Wikipedia
• CU - Boulder on Twitter
• CU - Boulder on Facebook

Notes and References

Each ranking here is grounded in U.S. Department of Education data, 2027 edition. University of Colorado Boulder appears in 493 of the College Factual rankings covered on this page.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.