CU Denver vs. Naropa University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Naropa University based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Naropa University is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Naropa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Naropa University 10:1.

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Naropa University? 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 Naropa University ($14,831 vs. $27,873).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Naropa University are 20.4% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,290 vs. $15,442).
• Naropa University is 252.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $26,237 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Naropa University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $7,229 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Naropa University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 167.8% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($25,429 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Naropa University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Naropa University (3.42).
• Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 27.3% at Naropa University.

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Naropa University? 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 Naropa University's (35%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $42,400 more per year than Naropa University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $25,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $5,310 lower median loan debt than Naropa University graduates ($21,190 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Naropa University graduates ($219 vs. $274).
• More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.