CU Denver vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 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); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Washington State University 15:1.

CU Denver vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Washington State? 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 Washington State ($14,831 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 11.8% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($13,622 vs. $15,442).
• Washington State University is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $3,008 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Washington State than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $559 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Washington State University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($10,886 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 20 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 Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

CU Denver vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) 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 $13,800 more per year than Washington State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $761 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($20,429 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($211 vs. $219).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.