CU Denver vs. KSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

CU Denver vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or KSU? 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 KSU ($14,831 vs. $15,636).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kennesaw State University are 14% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($13,287 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 78.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $4,575 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $5,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.7% higher at CU Denver than at Kennesaw State University (about $11,655 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kennesaw State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (92% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 15.5% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($9,496 vs. $8,223).

CU Denver vs. KSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at KSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; KSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at KSU (3.33).
• CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than KSU (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 38% at KSU.

CU Denver vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $10 lower median loan debt than KSU graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Kennesaw State University and CU Denver graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($219 vs. $219).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU 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.