CU Denver vs. Colorado College

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Colorado College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or Colorado College 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. Colorado College comparison
University of Colorado Denver Colorado College College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Colorado College
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Overview

CU Denver Colorado College
Location Denver, CO Colorado Springs, CO
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 23,744 2,203
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #80
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu coloradocollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Colorado College
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $64,554
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $64,554
Room & Board $14,230 $14,376
Avg Net Price $16,079 $33,178
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $46,160
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 54%

Admission

CU Denver Colorado College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 7,846
Admitted 11,658 1,279
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 16.3%
Enrolled % 14.6% 41.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.98
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 21/27 29/33
SAT Range 1030/1260 1260/1480
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

CU Denver Colorado College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Colorado College
Graduation Rate 40% 88%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $219 $211

Diversity

CU Denver Colorado College
% Men 40% 44%
% Women 60% 56%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 64%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 19% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 9%
% International 8% 7%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

CU Denver Colorado College
% In-State 82% 19%
% Out-of-State 15% 77%

Campus

CU Denver Colorado College
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 Colorado College based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 2,203 students)

CU Denver vs. Colorado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Colorado College?

  • Colorado College is 638.9% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($64,554.00 vs. $8,736.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 148.4% higher at Colorado College than University of Colorado Denver ($64,554.00 vs. $25,992.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Colorado College ($16,079 vs. $33,178)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver are 1% lower than costs at Colorado College ($14,230 vs. $14,376)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than Colorado College (93% vs. 54%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 391.9% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($46,160 vs. $9,384)

CU Denver vs. Colorado College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at CU Denver (3.46)
  • CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.6%) than Colorado College (16.3%)

CU Denver vs. Colorado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Colorado College? 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 Colorado College and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado College is higher than University of Colorado Denver (88% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $22,200 more per year than Colorado College graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $46,000)
  • Colorado College students graduate with a $690 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,190)
  • Colorado College graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than CU Denver graduates. ($211 vs. $219)
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 61%)

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