CU Denver vs. UCCS

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Colorado Colorado Springs is in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1.

CU Denver vs. UCCS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or UCCS? 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 UCCS ($14,831 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 16.3% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,918 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $234 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at CU Denver than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $5,055 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (86% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 28% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($9,496 vs. $7,420).

CU Denver vs. UCCS Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 20 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at UCCS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; UCCS - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 12.9% at UCCS.

CU Denver vs. UCCS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and UCCS? 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 Colorado Springs's six-year graduation rate (41%) 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 $21,800 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $191 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($20,999 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($217 vs. $219).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.