CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than University of North Dakota based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 15,019 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 North Dakota is in Grand Forks, ND (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of North Dakota 17:1.

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota ($14,831 vs. $18,076).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Dakota are 26.2% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($11,390 vs. $15,442).
• University of North Dakota is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $568 more per year; $10,951.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.8% higher at CU Denver than at University of North Dakota (about $13,821 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $15,570.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus as at University of North Dakota (86% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 42.5% larger than aid received by University of North Dakota students ($9,496 vs. $6,663).

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota and CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Dakota (1200) is 100 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at University of North Dakota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of North Dakota 1110/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of North Dakota 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; University of North Dakota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027.
• 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 (76.9%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 34.7% at University of North Dakota.

CU Denver vs. University of North Dakota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and University of North Dakota? 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 North Dakota's six-year graduation rate (54%) 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 $13,500 more per year than University of North Dakota graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $54,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $3,310 lower median loan debt than University of North Dakota graduates ($21,190 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.