CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota

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

CU Denver University of North Dakota
Location Denver, CO Grand Forks, ND
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 23,744 13,876
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #384
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu und.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver University of North Dakota
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $9,237
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $13,856
Room & Board $14,230 $10,170
Avg Net Price $16,079 $17,359
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $6,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 86%

Admission

CU Denver University of North Dakota
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 6,597
Admitted 11,658 5,494
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 83.3%
Enrolled % 14.6% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1260 1110/1290
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 Aug 17, 2025

Academics

CU Denver University of North Dakota
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (14%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

CU Denver University of North Dakota
Graduation Rate 40% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $54,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $219 $253

Diversity

CU Denver University of North Dakota
% Men 40% 50%
% Women 60% 50%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 83%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

CU Denver University of North Dakota
% In-State 82% 38%
% Out-of-State 15% 60%

Campus

CU Denver University of North Dakota
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 North Dakota based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 13,876 students)

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or University of North Dakota?

  • University of North Dakota is 5.7% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($9,237.00 vs. $8,736.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.6% higher at CU Denver than University of North Dakota ($25,992.00 vs. $13,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than University of North Dakota ($16,079 vs. $17,359)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Dakota are 39.9% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($10,170 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than University of North Dakota (93% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 46.9% larger than aid received University of North Dakota ($9,384 vs. $6,387)

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Dakota (1088) is 33 points higher than at CU Denver (1055)
  • Incoming University of North Dakota students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CU Denver (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Dakota students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CU Denver (3.46)
  • University of North Dakota has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or University of North Dakota? 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 North Dakota and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Dakota is higher than University of Colorado Denver (54% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $13,500 more per year than University of North Dakota graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $54,700)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $3,310 lower median federal student loan debt than University of North Dakota graduates. ($21,190 vs. $24,500)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than University of North Dakota graduates. ($219 vs. $253)
  • More University of North Dakota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

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