CU Denver vs. ASU

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Appalachian State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or ASU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Colorado Denver vs. Appalachian State University comparison
University of Colorado Denver Appalachian State University College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Appalachian State University
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Overview

CU Denver ASU
Location Denver, CO Boone, NC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 23,744 20,436
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #594
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu appstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver ASU
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $4,242
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $20,246
Room & Board $14,230 $11,582
Avg Net Price $16,079 $13,084
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $7,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 47%

Admission

CU Denver ASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 22,255
Admitted 11,658 18,489
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 83.1%
Enrolled % 14.6% 21.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.96
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1260 1100/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

CU Denver ASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

CU Denver ASU
Graduation Rate 40% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $219 $211

Diversity

CU Denver ASU
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 85%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 19% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

CU Denver ASU
% In-State 82% 87%
% Out-of-State 15% 13%

Campus

CU Denver ASU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than ASU based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 20,436 students)

CU Denver vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or ASU?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 105.9% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.4% higher at CU Denver than Appalachian State University ($25,992.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than CU Denver ($13,084 vs. $16,079)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 22.9% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($11,582 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than Appalachian State University (93% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 26.1% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($9,384 vs. $7,443)

CU Denver vs. ASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or ASU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ASU or CU Denver .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 102 points higher than at CU Denver (1055)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CU Denver (23)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at CU Denver (3.46)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or ASU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ASU and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than University of Colorado Denver (65% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $26,600 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $690 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,190)
  • ASU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than CU Denver graduates. ($211 vs. $219)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/