Naropa University vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

Compare Naropa University in Boulder, CO with Dean College in Franklin, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Naropa University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Naropa University is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Naropa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Naropa University 10:1; Dean College 15:1.

Naropa University vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Naropa University or Dean College? 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 Naropa University than Dean College ($27,873 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Naropa University are 38.1% lower than at Dean College ($12,290 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Naropa University (about $9,906 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $36,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Dean College than at Naropa University (about $9,906 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $36,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Naropa University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Naropa University students ($32,958 vs. $25,429).

Naropa University vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Naropa University or Dean College? 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 Dean College and Naropa University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Naropa University - Test-free; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Naropa University students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Naropa University vs. 8.7% at Dean College.

Naropa University vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Naropa University and Dean College? 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Naropa University's (35%).
• Graduates from Dean College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Naropa University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $25,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,147 lower median loan debt than Naropa University graduates ($16,353 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Naropa University graduates ($169 vs. $274).
• More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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.