Score target

What is a good SAT score for University of Colorado Boulder?

Federal data, not an estimate: the middle 50% of University of Colorado Boulder's enrolled students and what to do with it.

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In short

The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Colorado Boulder scored 1240–1430 on the SAT — Reading and Writing 630–710, Math 610–720 — per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. A score at or above 1430 clears the band entirely; inside it, the upper half is the safer target. University of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants, so the score is one input among several, not a cutoff.

The band, and how to read it

Middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Colorado Boulder (College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-09-01).
25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total12401430
Reading and Writing630710
Math610720

A middle 50% means a quarter of enrolled students scored below 1240 and a quarter scored above 1430. It is a description of who enrolled, not an admission rule — people are admitted from below the band every cycle, and rejected from above it.

Enrolled, not admitted

Federal data reports the students who enrolled. Admitted-student bands run slightly higher at most schools, because some of the strongest admits enrol elsewhere. Treat the band as a floor for planning, not a ceiling.

Setting a target inside the band

  • At or above 1430: the score stops being a question anywhere in the application. Further points are worth less than time spent on everything else.
  • 1335–1430 (upper half): competitive. This is the practical target for most applicants.
  • 1240–1335 (lower half): in range, and the rest of the application carries more of the weight.
  • Below 1240: a quarter of the enrolled class is here too — but if a retake is realistic, this is where it pays most.

Context: University of Colorado Boulder by the numbers

MeasureValue
Admission rateabout 78%
Enrolled undergraduatesabout 32k
LocationBoulder, CO

How to close a gap to the band

Work by section, not by mixed test. If Math is the weaker section, the Math domain pages split it into the skills the test actually samples; same for Reading and Writing. The method is set out in how to improve your SAT Math score and Reading and Writing.

Practise toward the University of Colorado Boulder band

Free SAT practice with an explanation on every question, and a score estimate that tracks your distance to a target.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do I need for University of Colorado Boulder?

The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 1240–1430. A score in the upper half of that band is competitive, and 1430+ clears it entirely. There is no published cutoff.

Can I get into University of Colorado Boulder with a score below 1240?

A quarter of enrolled students did. Below the 25th percentile the rest of the application has to carry more weight, and a retake pays off most in this position.

Is 1430 a good SAT score for University of Colorado Boulder?

Yes — 1430 is the 75th percentile of enrolled students, so it is above three quarters of the class. Past that point, more points buy little.

Where do these numbers come from?

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (IPEDS), retrieved 2026-09-01. The page links the school's federal profile below — check it before deciding anything.

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Sources