CU Denver vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (23,803 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); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

CU Denver vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than CU Denver ($14,416 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 7.7% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($14,252 vs. $15,442).
• Wayne State University is 46.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $4,807 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at WSU than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $2,646 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 36.4% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($12,953 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 22.4% at WSU.

CU Denver vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and WSU? 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 Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($21,190 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($219 vs. $230).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 38%)

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.