Arkansas vs. CU Denver

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1.

Arkansas vs. CU Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or CU Denver? 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Arkansas ($14,831 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas are 7.8% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($14,244 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $279 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Arkansas than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $575 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at University of Arkansas (86% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 7.9% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($9,496 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. CU Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or CU Denver? 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 CU Denver and Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 30 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; CU Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 13.1% at CU Denver.

Arkansas vs. CU Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and CU Denver? 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).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $310 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.