CU Denver vs. Naropa University

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

 CU Denver Naropa University
Location Denver, CO Boulder, CO
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 23,409 1,117
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #391
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu naropa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CU Denver Naropa University
Tuition (In State) $9,096 $34,400
Tuition (Out of State) $27,288 $34,400
Room & Board $14,920 $10,696
Avg Net Price $15,303 $31,491
Avg Grant Aid $8,079 $21,183
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 93%

Admission

 CU Denver Naropa University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,569 100
Admitted 11,336 94
Acceptance Rate 77.8% 94%
Enrolled % 14.4% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 CU Denver Naropa University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Psychology (29%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)

Outcomes

 CU Denver Naropa University
Graduation Rate 40% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $25,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $219 $274

Diversity

 CU Denver Naropa University
% Men 14% 17%
% Women 26% 50%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 63%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 11%
% International 8% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 11%

Students

 CU Denver Naropa University
% In-State 85% 33%
% Out-of-State 13% 67%

Campus

 CU Denver Naropa University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Naropa University based on total student enrollment (23,409 students vs. 1,117 students)

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Naropa University?

  • Naropa University is 278.2% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($34,400.00 vs. $9,096.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.1% higher at Naropa University than University of Colorado Denver ($34,400.00 vs. $27,288.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Naropa University ($15,303 vs. $31,491)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Naropa University are 39.5% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($10,696 vs. $14,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Naropa University than University of Colorado Denver (93% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 162.2% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($21,183 vs. $8,079)

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (94%) than CU Denver (77.8%)

CU Denver vs. Naropa University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Naropa University? 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 Naropa University and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is higher than Naropa University (40% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $42,400 more per year than Naropa University graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $25,800)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $5,310 lower median federal student loan debt than Naropa University graduates. ($21,190 vs. $26,500)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans 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/