University of Colorado Boulder

Overview

The University of Colorado Boulder, or CU Boulder, is a notable public research university. A proud member of the highly selective Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder is also the flagship institution of the University of Colorado system. CU Boulder’s main campus is considered to be one of the most beautiful university campuses in the United States. It is a picturesque college town that offers students access to sophisticated facilities, historical infrastructures, recreational and social spots, and nature. It houses several schools and colleges, research facilities, and residential areas for students. CU Boulder is also known for its libraries. All in all, the university libraries’ collection has reached more than 7.5 million volumes, which is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region.

When it comes to academic offerings, CU Boulder has nine colleges or schools that introduce a wide range of disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, engineering and applied science, law, environmental design, and others. Meanwhile, CU Boulder’s research focus covers a broad range of fields, but the university is well-renowned for its innovations in aerospace, which makes it the number one university recipient of NASA’s research.

The Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences is one of the university’s most notable departments. CU Boulder’s aerospace research studies have played a vital role in producing 20 astronauts affiliated with the university. CU Boulder is also the home to five Nobel Laureates. The first one is a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which was awarded to Thomas Cech in 1989 for his contributions in the “discovery of catalytic properties of RNA.” The other Nobel Prize awards were for contributions in physics research.

Looking at its history, CU Boulder was established in 1876, a few months before Colorado was officially declared as a state of the United States. The university opened the following year and added a preparatory school to help students transition to the course works they had to accomplish as university students. Over the years, residential halls were added, as well as research centers, among them the Engineering Center, which is considered to be the largest geotechnical centrifuge in the country. Libraries, auditoriums, museums, and centers for performing and visual arts were later on established.

As a center for state-of-the-art research, CU Boulder aims to shape its students into leaders who will turn research studies into innovative solutions that will make a significant impact on the advancement of technology, culture, and the global economy.

You can also learn more about the educational performance of University of Colorado Boulder in our ranking of US universities & colleges.