CU Denver vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus and UNM have the same total student enrollment (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); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

CU Denver vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus than CU Denver ($6,347 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 22.1% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,026 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $243 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at UNM than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $3,669 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 38.4% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($13,140 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. UNM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 70 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 31.2% at UNM.

CU Denver vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) 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 $25,500 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,690 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.