CU Denver vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 16,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

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 Wichita State University than CU Denver ($14,228 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wichita State University are 19.6% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,420 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $699 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at CU Denver than at Wichita State University (about $9,522 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wichita State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (89% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($9,496 vs. $8,125).

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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 30 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 20.1% 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).

• Wichita State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) 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 $24,400 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $690 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($211 vs. $219).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.