University of Colorado - Denver is a public research university in Denver, Colorado. It has a mid-size enrollment with around 15,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly competitive with an overall acceptance rate of roughly 78%. Popular majors are Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 48%, and the median starting salary for CU Denver graduates is about INR 6,20,000 (nearly $74,000 median income at ten years post-graduation).
University of Denver is another renowned private university located in Denver, Colorado. It is a mid-tier university with around 12,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are relatively selective, with the overall acceptance rate of around 71%. Popular majors are Business, Social Sciences, Psychology, International Studies, and Engineering. The six-year graduation rate is around 77%, and DU graduates are awarded a median starting salary of around INR 7,20,000 (approximately $86,000 median income ten years after graduation).
| University of Colorado | University of Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.2 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 351 Times Higher Education 2026 # 851 QS World University 2026 # 761 QS World University 2025 | # 501 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 601 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 136 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 151 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 181 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 401 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2022 # 251 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -61 PG Programs -56 | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -47 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 78.0 % | 71.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1060 TOEFL-71 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1160 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 25736 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31640 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11670 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 44700 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 34128 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 27858 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Average salaries are listed below:
| Six months after commencement, 92.1% of undergraduates, 93.5% of master’s students and 95.1% of doctoral students were employed, enrolled in continuing education or in service/military activities. Graduates of the Daniels College of Business and the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science had the highest average salaries among recent graduates, at $96,805 and $87,692, respectively. |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit entrance scores Submit English language proficiency Check program specifc requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit English language requirements Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.8/10 Read 2 reviews | 8.2/10 Read 2 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 135 for Business by US News 2024 | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 97 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -58000 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -48000 |
| application dates | Sep 15, 2024 (Priority Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Oct 15, 2024 (Final Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Jan 15, 2025 (Priority Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Mar 15, 2025 (Final Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Mar 15, 2025 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) May 15, 2025 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) | Jan 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) |
| ranking | # 160 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 301 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 186 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 401 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -30641 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -44700 |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Nov 15, 2024 (Early Action Application Deadline For Fall And Summer Intake) Jan 15, 2025 (Regular Decision Deadline For Fall And Summer Intake) | Nov 1, 2024 (Early Action Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Jan 15, 2025 (Regular Decision Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Colorado | University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1912 | 1864 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 56% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | CU Denver, part of the Auraria Campus, is located to the southwest of downtown Denver in the Auraria Neighborhood, on Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway | The University of Denver (DU) is a private research university in Denver, Colorado. |
| Library | The Auraria library on the CU Denver campus downtown serves the three institutions that share the campus — CU Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver. The library houses nearly 1 million print books, 130,000 e-books, 44,000 e-journals and 300 databases. | The university library offers a rich collection of books, journals, primary sources, and media, but beyond the collections, it connects students, faculty, staff, and the broader University community to knowledge. Scholarly information is offered in a variety of formats and the library strives to make access to this knowledge as straightforward as possible for its students. |
| Campus Life |
| Students live on campus for their first two years at the university, so the community is constantly infused with new faces, ideas and experiences. Whether you test your wings in a living and learning community, club sports, or any of the student organizations based on campus, you're sure to find a home at the university. With five residence halls, a range of dining options and easy access to the Mile High City, students enjoy a range of facilities. Food options mere steps away from campus range from pizza to Thai and Lebanese, and with the rest of the city a bicycle or train ride away, you'll have the the opportunity to take advantage of Denver's growing and diverse cultural scene. Whether your tastes run toward taco trucks or tasting menus, thrift stores or boutiques, museums or mosh pits, Denver offers excitement and inspiration. Originally designed as an arboretum, the tree-lined campus offers extensive space for outdoor activities. The Newman Center for the Performing Arts hosts more than 400 theater, music and dance performances a year, from student plays to internationally touring musicians. Participate in sport and fitness activities at the Ritchie Center, which serves as a venue for many of our club and intramural sports. It also houses the Coors Fitness Center, where swimmers and ice skaters can take advantage of the Olympic-sized pool and the Joy Burns Arena. |
| Hostel | #Double Room with kitchen Per Semester - $4920 #Studio with kitchen Per Semester - $6750 | #On campus - $12612 #Off campus (not with family) - $12612 #Off campus (with family) - $2634 |
| Famous Alumni |
| Henry Otley Beyer, father of anthropology and ethnology in the Philippines. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman/CEO of Emirates Airlines |
| City Life |
| From sunny weather to winter sports, beautiful architecture to extensive parks, high-tech startups to farm-to-table restaurants, the city offers something for everyone. It offers great music too, including concerts at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater, an outdoor venue built of rock. This explains why it is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Denver has convenient public transportation, including bus, rail, and light rail. It is a top-five cycling city, with more than 196 on-street bike lanes. Denver also offers car, bike, and electric scooter rentals. Denver has more than 200 parks within the city, including nearby City Park, home to 330 acres of green spaces and the Denver Zoo. There are also more than 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains. Denver grows fresh produce throughout the city, including at the Colorado Convention Center’s Blue Bear Farm. |
| Weather |
University of Colorado - Denver vs University of Denver
Subject Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Colorado – Denver (CU Denver) tends to have a stronger international profile than the University of Denver (DU). According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, CU Denver sits between 851–900 and DU between 1001–1200. Under the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, the two universities feature between 601–800. CU Denver is 440 in the US News Global Rankings 2026, well above DU's ranking of 1117. CU Denver is highly ranked in health sciences, business, and engineering, while DU is highly ranked in international studies, business, and social sciences.
General Information
The University of Colorado – Denver is a public research university in downtown Denver, Colorado, with a student population over 15,000. It is a part of the University of Colorado system and recognized for its urban, diverse student population and close connections to healthcare, business, and engineering industries.
The University of Denver is a private research university that was established in 1864 and has an enrollment of around 12,000 students. It is known for its liberal arts background and focused graduate programs in international relations, business (Daniels College of Business), and law.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
CU Denver's acceptance rate is 78%, which means admissions are moderately selective and open to a wide array of applicants.
DU's acceptance rate of 71% indicates slightly greater selectivity, which mirrors greater competition for some business, law, and international studies programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
CU Denver focuses on applied research, particularly in health sciences, engineering, and business, with particular proximity to the Anschutz Medical Campus, one of the largest health research centers in the U.S.
DU also has an active research culture, particularly in social sciences, international relations, law, and environment sustainability, complemented by its much smaller yet sufficiently resourced research centers.
Cost & Financial Aid
CU Denver, as a public institution, tends to be lower for students in-state, with out-of-state and international students paying more. DU, as a private school, is more expensive overall but offers a plethora of scholarships, need-based funding, and merit awards to help discount tuition.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
CU Denver graduates typically pursue robust career opportunities in healthcare, business, engineering, and technology, leveraging the university's urban partnerships and links to local industries.
DU graduates have a solid business, international affairs, and law reputation with an impressive global alumni network that facilitates careers in diplomacy, policy, and corporate leadership.
















