CU Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Red Rocks Community College based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 8,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Red Rocks Community College is in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Red Rocks Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Red Rocks Community College 28:1.

CU Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College than CU Denver ($8,478 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 8% lower than at Red Rocks Community College ($15,442 vs. $16,785).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 113.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Red Rocks Community College (about $5,524 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $4,859.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at CU Denver than at Red Rocks Community College (about $11,932 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $17,459.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Red Rocks Community College (86% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Red Rocks Community College students is 50.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($14,333 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College and CU Denver.

• Red Rocks Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Red Rocks Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.

CU Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Red Rocks Community College? 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).

• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Red Rocks Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have a $12,118 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($9,072 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($93 vs. $219).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Red Rocks Community College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 42%)

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.