DU vs. TCU

Should I go to University of Denver or Texas Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DU or TCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Baylor SMU CU Boulder CU Denver Texas A&M UT Austin Colorado State Colorado School of Mines Trinity UT Arlington USD AU
University of Denver vs. Texas Christian University comparison
University of Denver Texas Christian University College 3 College 4
University of Denver Texas Christian University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

DU TCU
Location Denver, CO Fort Worth, TX
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 13,734 12,273
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #82 #107
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website du.edu tcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DU TCU
Tuition (In State) $55,260 $53,890
Tuition (Out of State) $55,260 $53,890
Room & Board $15,470 $14,250
Avg Net Price $42,423 $44,190
Avg Grant Aid $30,954 $28,048
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 89%

Admission

DU TCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,342 16,197
Admitted 15,024 9,087
Acceptance Rate 77.7% 56.1%
Enrolled % 10.9% 27.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.68
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 26/31
SAT Range 1220/1400 1140/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

DU TCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (18%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

DU TCU
Graduation Rate 78% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,400 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,699 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $222

Diversity

DU TCU
% Men 38% 39%
% Women 62% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 73%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 10% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 9% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

DU TCU
% In-State 25% 43%
% Out-of-State 71% 52%

Campus

DU TCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Denver is larger than than TCU based on total student enrollment (13,734 students vs. 12,273 students)

DU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU or TCU?

  • University of Denver is 2.5% more expensive to attend than TCU for in-state tuition ($55,260.00 vs. $53,890.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.5% higher at DU than Texas Christian University ($55,260.00 vs. $53,890.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Denver than TCU ($42,423 vs. $44,190)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Christian University are 8.6% lower than costs at University of Denver ($14,250 vs. $15,470)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Denver than Texas Christian University (99% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 10.4% larger than aid received Texas Christian University ($30,954 vs. $28,048)

DU vs. TCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or TCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between TCU or DU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Denver (1249) is 29 points higher than at TCU (1220)
  • Incoming DU students have at the same average ACT score (28) as students at TCU (28)
  • Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at TCU (3.68)
  • DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than TCU (56.1%)

DU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DU or TCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between TCU and DU.

  • The graduation rate at DU is higher than Texas Christian University (78% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from University of Denver earn on average $5,800 more per year than TCU graduates after ten years. ($63,400 vs. $57,600)
  • Texas Christian University students graduate with a $2,199 lower median federal student loan debt than DU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,699)
  • TCU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than DU graduates. ($222 vs. $245)
  • More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/