CU Denver vs. DU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than DU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 12,813 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 Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of Denver 9:1.

CU Denver vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or DU? 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 DU ($14,831 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 13% lower than at University of Denver ($15,442 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 491.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $51,015 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at DU than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $32,007 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 257.6% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($33,955 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. DU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 230 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming DU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CU Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; DU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 9.1% at DU.

CU Denver vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and DU? 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) 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 $4,800 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $2,509 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($21,190 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($219 vs. $245).
• More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.