DU vs. UW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver 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 Denver is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 10,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

DU vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 Wyoming than DU ($14,872 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 22.8% lower than at University of Denver ($13,710 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 690.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $53,630 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.9% higher at DU than at University of Wyoming (about $37,220 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at University of Wyoming (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 232.5% larger than aid received by University of Wyoming students ($33,955 vs. $10,212).

DU vs. UW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 190 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming DU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at UW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UW (3.53).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 23.8% at UW.

DU vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Wyoming's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than UW graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $5,199 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($18,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($191 vs. $245).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 72%)

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.