Naropa University was established in 1974 as the Naropa Institute by Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Chgyam Trungpa. This private liberal arts institute is located in Boulder, Colorado. Naropa University's recent enrollments have been around 1,000 undergraduates and postgraduates, of whom about 5% are international students.

Naropa University offers a large number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition, study abroad and distance learning opportunities are provided. The university also hosts the summer writing program through the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.

Naropa University is home to several active student groups such as the Art and Enlightenment Sangha, The Dharma Clowns, Improvisational Movement and Music, International Students Club, and Women in Buddhism: Sakyadhita. Students are offered financial assistance through scholarship programs such as the Naropa in Prague: Engaged Writer Scholarship, The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation Merit Scholarship, Monastic Scholarship, and The Jack Kerouac Scholarship.