Colorado College vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Denison University 9:1.

Colorado College vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or Denison? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado College than Denison ($36,123 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 2.3% lower than at Denison University ($16,020 vs. $16,400).
• Colorado College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $3,734 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Colorado College than at Denison University (about $3,734 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Colorado College (94% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 33.1% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($50,834 vs. $38,179).

Colorado College vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College or Denison? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Denison and Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 60 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Colorado College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Denison (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Colorado College has a higher acceptance rate (18.5%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Colorado College vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College and Denison? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.