Rankings, Facts & Figures

5,871

Graduate Students

$726.2M

FY2026 research awards and gifts

5

Nobel laureates

12

MacArthur fellows

12

Research institutes

 

75+

Research centers

18

CU Boulder-affiliated astronauts

R1
Carnegie classification for the highest level of research activity at U.S. universities.

Research and Innovation

CU Boulder supports research and creative work that advances scientific discovery, addresses societal challenges and drives economic opportunity. In FY2026, the university received $726.2 million in research awards and gifts.

U.S. News & World Report Graduate Rankings

CU Boulder graduate programs consistently rank among the nation's best, reflecting the university's excellence in research, teaching and graduate education. Numerous programs and specialties are ranked among the top 30 nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

National RankingGraduate Program or SpecialtyRanking Year
4Atomic/Molecular/Optical Physics2025
7Geology2025
8Aerospace Engineering2026
8Physical Chemistry2025
11Earth Sciences2026
11Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering2026
11Quantum Physics2025
12Audiology2026
12Psychology2024
13Condensed Matter Physics2025
13Physics2026
16Education Policy2026
17Sociology of Population2024
18Chemical Engineering2026
18Engineering (Overall)2026
19Clinical Psychology2026
22Speech-Language Pathology2026
23Biological/Agricultural Engineering2025
23Fine Arts2025
24Civil Engineering2026
24Curriculum and Instruction2026
26Biological Sciences2026
29Chemistry2026

Source: U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, as reported by the University of Colorado Boulder. Rankings include public and private institutions. Because U.S. News updates graduate program and specialty rankings on different schedules, the table reflects the most recently verified ranking for each area.

Read more about CU Boulder's nationally ranked graduate programs.