CU Denver vs. University of Nevada-Reno

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

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Location Denver, CO Reno, NV
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 23,744 20,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #443
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu unr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $8,133
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $24,687
Room & Board $14,230 $13,796
Avg Net Price $16,079 $16,670
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $7,829
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 92%

Admission

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 9,398
Admitted 11,658 8,047
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 85.6%
Enrolled % 14.6% 41%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1260 1060/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Apr 7, 2025

Academics

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Graduation Rate 40% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $18,801
Median Loan Payment $219 $194

Diversity

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 60%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 19%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
% In-State 82% 76%
% Out-of-State 15% 23%

Campus

CU Denver University of Nevada-Reno
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 20,945 students)

CU Denver vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or University of Nevada-Reno?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 7.4% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $8,133.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at CU Denver than University of Nevada Reno ($25,992.00 vs. $24,687.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than University of Nevada-Reno ($16,079 vs. $16,670)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 3.1% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($13,796 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than University of Nevada Reno (93% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 19.9% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($9,384 vs. $7,829)

CU Denver vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nevada Reno (1084) is 29 points higher than at CU Denver (1055)
  • Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CU Denver (23)
  • Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4)
  • University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (85.6%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno is higher than University of Colorado Denver (51% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $14,800 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $53,400)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $2,389 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($18,801 vs. $21,190)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than CU Denver graduates. ($194 vs. $219)
  • More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/