UCCS vs. DU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with University of Denver in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; University of Denver 9:1.

UCCS vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or DU? 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 Colorado Springs than DU ($16,942 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 27.3% lower than at University of Denver ($12,918 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 505% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $51,249 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.3% higher at DU than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $37,062 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 357.6% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($33,955 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. DU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS or DU? 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 DU and UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 210 points higher than at UCCS (1120).
• Incoming DU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at UCCS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; DU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 9.1% at DU.

UCCS vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and DU? 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $2,700 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($20,999 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($217 vs. $245).
• More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCCS students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.