The ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is one of only , a group of institutions widely recognized as America’s leading research universities. 

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to serve as the state of Colorado’s comprehensive graduate research university with selective admission standards, offering a comprehensive array of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs. 

Our vision is to be a leader in identifying and addressing the humanitarian, social and technological challenges of the 21st century.

Transformation and Financial Resilience

We have proven, over the last two decades, that by working together we can triumph over economic recessions and a pandemic while still making tangible progress on our goals—including Academic Futures-based priorities for increased retention, DEI action plan implementation, growing research and innovation outcomes, and updating our Campus Master Plan. With those lessons and successes guiding us, we are taking advantage of this moment in the higher education landscape to transform together and revitalize our mission of educating students, creating new knowledge and delivering value to the public we serve.

Learn more about Transformation & Financial Resilience

Strategic Priorities

In alignment with the campus mission, vision, values and Academic Futures recommendations.

We are globally recognized for our research—as well as the comprehensive breadth and impact of our innovation, public scholarship and creative work—and we will continue to lead.

We, as a campus community, must continue the hard and ongoing work of ensuring CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is a diverse, inclusive and welcoming place for all who live, work and study here.

Our core public mission is centered on the belonging, well-being and success of our undergraduate and graduate students.

CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is committed to supporting your health and wellness. We will get through this together. We must destigmatize asking for help.

Achieving our future success also depends on aligning our university's physical, digital and financial resources. 

Values

What it means to “Be ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.â€

The work of our faculty, staff, students and alumni contributes to a campus experience where we lead, innovate, and impact.

Lead

Shape tomorrow’s leaders by caring for our students and fostering shared approaches to belonging, inclusion, academic success and civic engagement.

 

5,160+

academic courses offered across 270+ fields of study

 

21

CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ students have received the Rhodes Scholarship

 

Top 3%

among world universities

(Academic Rankings of World Universities, 2023)

 

9,260+

degrees awarded each year, the most of any university in Colorado

Innovate

Be a top university for innovation by cultivating a courageous culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that stems from our world-class research and creative work.

 

Top 2

town for entrepreneurs

(Crowdspring, 2023)

 

15

years of the New Venture Challenge, an entrepreneurial startup competition

 

179

companies formed based on CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ technology (since 1990)

 

$8 billion

impact on the national economy (from 2018-2022)

Impact

Positively impact humanity through our faculty, staff, students and alumni—and through the positive outcomes we achieve in Colorado, the nation and the world. 

 

4th

all time in the nation for graduates serving as Peace Corps volunteers

 

14,400+

hours of work done through the Volunteer Resource Center in 2023

 

450+

student groups and organizations across campus

 

$4.3 billion

annual economic impact on the state economy (FY22/23)

As a campus community, we live our values and advance our mission through:

 

Our campus strategic priorities, derived from our mission, vision, values and Academic Futures recommendations.

 

Our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals, which define our actions to build an inclusive foundation for all we do, including teaching, research, development, leadership, mentorship, supervision, innovation and service.

 

Our student-led Colorado Creed and Honor Code, which define the values and expectations our students share with each other.

 

Our , derived from campus-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and tied to our annual performance management cycles.

Our Extended Community

Our students join our alumni Forever Buffs Network, an extended family of hundreds of thousands of CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ alumni, students, faculty and staff worldwide that encourages lifelong connection, engagement and celebration of the extended life and impact of our university.

Research Focus Areas

Discover how research at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is changing the world. Our faculty and students are pioneering innovations in aerospace, biosciences, energy, Earth and environmental sciences, fundamental sciences and other major areas.

The Value of a CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Education

A degree from CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ not only provides our students with promising career potential, it also expands their worldview, influences their social network and adds to their life experiences. And because college is so valuable, we believe all students should enter college knowing the cost of their education and what steps we’re taking to reduce those costs.

We believe you should know and understand the cost of your education, which is why we offer a four-year guarantee of tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate resident students.

Automatic Scholarship Consideration

Every prospective freshman and transfer student applicant is automatically considered for a small range of CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ scholarships.

CU Promise

For incoming Colorado residents who qualify for the federal Pell Grant and meet eligibility requirements, we promise to offer grants and work-study awards to help pay for tuition and other expenses.

 

Best Value

university every year since 2009

(The Princeton Review)

 

88%

of graduates are employed, in graduate school or in the military within six months of graduation

 

Be ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Pact

saves students millions of dollars a year in fees

 

$143,000

median midcareer salary for students with a CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ bachelor’s degree

(Payscale, 2024)