CU Denver vs. UCCS

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

CU Denver UCCS
Location Denver, CO Colorado Springs, CO
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 23,744 11,431
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #616
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu uccs.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver UCCS
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $7,632
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $20,544
Room & Board $14,230 $11,400
Avg Net Price $16,079 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $5,841
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 84%

Admission

CU Denver UCCS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 14,751
Admitted 11,658 12,504
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 84.8%
Enrolled % 14.6% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/28
SAT Range 1030/1260 1015/1215
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CU Denver UCCS
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

CU Denver UCCS
Graduation Rate 40% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $20,999
Median Loan Payment $219 $217

Diversity

CU Denver UCCS
% Men 40% 45%
% Women 60% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 67%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver UCCS
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 15% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than UCCS based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 11,431 students)

CU Denver vs. UCCS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or UCCS?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 14.5% more expensive to attend than UCCS for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $7,632.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.5% higher at CU Denver than University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($25,992.00 vs. $20,544.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than UCCS ($16,079 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 24.8% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($11,400 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than University of Colorado Colorado Springs (93% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 60.7% larger than aid received University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($9,384 vs. $5,841)

CU Denver vs. UCCS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1088) is 33 points higher than at CU Denver (1055)
  • Incoming UCCS students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CU Denver (23)
  • 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 (84.8%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. UCCS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or UCCS? 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 UCCS and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at UCCS is higher than University of Colorado Denver (41% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $21,800 more per year than UCCS graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs students graduate with a $191 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($20,999 vs. $21,190)
  • UCCS graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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/