2130 Arapahoe Ave.
Boulder, Colo. 80302

Naropa University, formerly known as the Naropa Institute, was founded by Chogyam Trungpa Rinopche, a lineage holder of Kagyu and Buddhist traditions. These traditions are present in Naropa University's academic programs, which combine contemplative studies with traditional Western scholastic and artistic studies. Through this type of education, Naropa students began to know themselves more deeply and engage each other constructively.

Naropa University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts, education, environmental leadership, psychology, and religious studies. Naropa University students can attain Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of fine arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Divinity degrees. The university also offers distance learning, study abroad, extended studies and the well-known Seminar Writing Program.

The Seminar Writing Program is a four-week convocation of students, poets, fiction writers, scholars, translators, performance artists, activists, Buddhist teachers, musicians, painters, editors, and others in small press publishing. The program includes workshops, lectures, panels, readings and special events. The Seminar Writing Program has credit and non-credit programs in poetry, fiction, translation, and letter press printing.

Quick Facts

Naropa University students hail from 48 states, U.S. territories, and 24 countries. Besides Colorado, most of the university's students come from New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Many students are from Canada, Germany, Japan, U.K., and Australia.

Naropa University's undergraduate enrollment is 456 and the average student age is 24. Graduate enrollment is 627 students with 32 percent from in-state, 63 percent from out of state, and five percent international.

The student-faculty ratio is 10 to 1 with an average class size of 14. Classes range from three to 37 students.

First time freshman enrollment is 69 students, the average age is 20, and the average high school GPA is 3.0. Twenty-three percent are from Colorado, 77 percent are from out of state, 66 percent are female, and 35 percent are male.

Sixty-seven of Naropa University students receive financial assistance, with an average financial aid package of $21,203.

Student groups and organizations include Allies in Action, Animal Strength, Childcare Co-op, The Coalition of Student Publications, Crafts and Conversations, The Dharma Clowns, Embracing the Feminine, GAIA Group (Green Awareness in Action), Inner Mission, The Modern Day Meditation Practice, and other organizations that cater to a variety of student interest.

Naropa University's Allen Ginsberg Library has more than 30,000 books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.