CU Denver vs. UW

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 10,813 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 Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

CU Denver vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or UW? 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 UW ($14,831 vs. $14,872).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 11.2% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($13,710 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 33.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $2,615 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at CU Denver than at University of Wyoming (about $5,213 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 7.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($10,212 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. UW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wyoming (1140) is 40 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 23.8% at UW.

CU Denver vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and UW? 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 Wyoming's six-year graduation rate (53%) 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 $16,800 more per year than UW graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $2,690 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($191 vs. $219).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.