CU Denver vs. IUPUI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than IUPUI based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 22,534 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Indiana University Indianapolis is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1.

CU Denver vs. IUPUI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or IUPUI? 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 Indiana University Indianapolis than CU Denver ($12,228 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Indianapolis are 13.8% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($13,308 vs. $15,442).
• Indiana University Indianapolis is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $379 more per year; $10,762.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at IUPUI than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $5,500 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Indiana University Indianapolis (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students is 16.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($11,104 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. IUPUI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is 40 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at IUPUI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; IUPUI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• IUPUI has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 24.6% at IUPUI.

CU Denver vs. IUPUI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and IUPUI? 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 Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Indiana University Indianapolis's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than IUPUI graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $1,900 lower median loan debt than IUPUI graduates ($21,190 vs. $23,090).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IUPUI graduates ($219 vs. $238).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.