University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus campus

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CU Denver Admission Requirements

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CU Denver Admission Overview

CU Denver admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year CU Denver admitted 74.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 980-1220 / ACT 23-32. CU Denver is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CU Denver Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

74.7%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Acceptance Rate

The CU Denver acceptance rate is 74.7%. Last year, 11,151 of 14,931 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CU Denver GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.46*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.46*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

CU Denver has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.46 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. CU Denver is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

*3.46 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

CU Denver SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

980-1220

Freshmen who sent SAT

23%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 490
  • Math 490
  • Composite 980
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 620
  • Math 600
  • Composite 1220
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at CU Denver typically score around a 1100 SAT (middle 50% 980–1220) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 59th percentile nationally. CU Denver ranks #11 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 980 to 1220

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

CU Denver is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1220+ Above 75th >85%
1100 to 1220 Avg + 75%-85%
980 to 1100 Avg - 61%-75%
Below 980 Below mid-50 <61%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CU Denver ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

23-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

2%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 22
  • Math 21
  • Composite 23
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 29
  • Composite 32
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Average ACT

Incoming testers at CU Denver typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 23–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CU Denver places #6 among colleges in Colorado for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to CU Denver without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
32+ Above 75th >86%
27 to 32 Avg + 75%-86%
23 to 27 Avg - 63%-75%
Below 23 Below mid-50 <63%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the CU Denver chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,837 6,094 14,931
Accepted 6,932 4,219 11,151
Acceptance Rate 78% 69% 75%
Enrolled 782 676 1,458
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 16% 13%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

335

Applicants have 335 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is $50.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

CU Denver is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 74.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (980-1220); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126562.

GPA calculator: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026