CU Denver vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Tech University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (40,757 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); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

CU Denver vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech ($14,831 vs. $16,919).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 30.4% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($10,742 vs. $15,442).
• Texas Tech University is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $1,469 more per year; $11,852.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at CU Denver than at Texas Tech University (about $4,940 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Texas Tech University (86% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Tech University students is 10.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($10,494 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Tech University (1190) is 90 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 Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

CU Denver vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Texas Tech? 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).

• Texas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Texas Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $58,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $1,310 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,190 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($219 vs. $232).
• More Texas Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.