CU Denver vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Illinois State University in Normal, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 21,546 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Illinois State University is in Normal, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Illinois State University 19:1.

CU Denver vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or ISU? 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 ISU ($14,831 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 23.9% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($11,754 vs. $15,442).
• Illinois State University is 55.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $5,761 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at CU Denver than at Illinois State University (about $1,181 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $28,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (96% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 36.6% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($12,974 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is the same as at ISU (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Illinois State University 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Illinois State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; ISU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ISU (3.41).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 22.5% at ISU.

CU Denver vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) 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 $19,200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $810 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,190 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($219 vs. $227).
• More ISU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.