CU Denver: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Denver, Colorado · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #236 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #160 (tie), Business Programs #149 (tie), Computer Science #173 (tie), Nursing #27 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (see the source).
Is CU Denver a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places CU Denver against it in about a minute. No account needed.
CU Denver is a public university in Denver, Colorado that admits about 75% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $11,900 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 13.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, CU Denver admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 75%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1116 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $11,900 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CU Denver?
CU Denver admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
Compare CU Denver with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores CU Denver typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1116 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | 25 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Submitting test scores is optional for first-year applicants and does not hurt the application.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CU Denver's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CU Denver actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,383 for in-state students and $29,391 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,442 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $11,900 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 26% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $11,900 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CU Denver
Most popular majors at CU Denver
The most popular undergraduate programs at CU Denver, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General. Across all programs, CU Denver confers roughly 1,580 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $73,108 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 443 | $73,108 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 243 | $79,814 |
| Biology, General | 224 | $65,854 |
| Psychology, General | 165 | $52,560 |
| Economics | 161 | $73,274 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 148 | $57,243 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 98 | n/a |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 98 | $95,300 |
Is CU Denver safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CU Denver disclosed 146 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 13.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 11 violent offenses and 19 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for CU Denver
Common questions parents ask about CU Denver
What GPA do I need for CU Denver?
CU Denver admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does CU Denver typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–32.
How much does CU Denver actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CU Denver after grants and scholarships is $11,900 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,383 and $29,391 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CU Denver realistic for my child?
CU Denver admits 75% of applicants, so 490–600 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $11,900 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CU Denver?
CU Denver accepts about 75% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is CU Denver test-optional?
Yes. CU Denver is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
Is CU Denver a public or private school, and where is it located?
CU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado.
What are the most popular majors at CU Denver?
The largest undergraduate majors at CU Denver by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General. The school awards about 1,580 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CU Denver safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CU Denver reported 146 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 13.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers