CU Denver Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at CU Denver is 74.6%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into CU Denver and can you get accepted?

CU Denver is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 11,658 out of the 15,631 who applied were admitted.

University of Colorado Denver typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into CU Denver?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Colorado Denver you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.46 or better
• Earn B+ grades in high school
• Score 1150 on the SAT
• Score 24 on the ACT

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into University of Colorado Denver?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into CU Denver are to have around a 3.46 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as CU Denver accepts 75% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at CU Denver is 3.46 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since CU Denver is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.46 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Colorado Denver. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Colorado Denver?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at CU Denver is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1030-1260. Students who get into University of Colorado Denver score in the top 55 percent of all SAT test takers..  CU Denver ranks #8 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. CU Denver regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1030 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1030, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Colorado Denver is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1145, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into CU Denver?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to CU Denver is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 27.  The school ranks #8 in Colorado for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

9 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Colorado Denver.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Colorado Denver is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into CU Denver for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 27 ACT score.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Colorado Denver is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Colorado Denver and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because CU Denver is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.46 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1150 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT will further lock in your application.