Naropa University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. freshman retention is below 65%. 57% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Naropa University is a private nonprofit institution located in Boulder, Colorado with approximately 368 undergraduate students enrolled. Naropa University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 94%. The average net price after financial aid is $28,862 per year. The graduation rate is 46%, and the typical graduate earns $27,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Naropa University is a private university in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1974 by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa, it is named after the 11th-century Indian Buddhist sage Naropa, an abbot of Nalanda. The university describes itself as Buddhist-inspired, ecumenical, and nonsectarian rather than Buddhist. Naropa promotes non-traditional activities like meditation to supplement traditional learning approaches.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 94% acceptance rate means most applicants get in, but only 46% of students actually graduate, and those who do earn a median of just $27,800 ten years out — barely covering the $28,862 annual net price while enrolled. This is a highly specialized school built around contemplative education, mindfulness, and creative arts, so it's worth considering only if that specific mission genuinely aligns with your goals and you have a clear plan for financial sustainability. Students drawn to conventional career paths or strong return-on-investment should look carefully at those earnings figures before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (368 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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