University of Denver: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Denver, Colorado · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Denver is a private nonprofit university in Denver, Colorado that admits about 77% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $36,131 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Communication and Media Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 76% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 15.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Denver is a private institution located in Denver, Colorado. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Denver admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1310 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,131 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Denver?
63% of enrolled students at University of Denver had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Denver weight in admissions?
University of Denver reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
SAT and ACT scores University of Denver typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 600–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 655. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1210 |
| 50th percentile | 1310 |
| 75th percentile | 1380 |
| % submitting SAT | 24% |
| 25th percentile | 28 |
| 50th percentile | 31 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 13% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 39% |
| Top 25% of class | 72% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
| % submitting class rank | 14% |
How much does University of Denver actually cost?
Published tuition is $61,398 for in-state students and $61,398 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,759 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,131 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 14% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $61,848 |
| Room and board | $18,593 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $36,131 |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Denver
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
| Notification date | March 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 15 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 77% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Denver?
These predict outcomes at University of Denver better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Denver
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Denver, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Communication and Media Studies. Across all programs, University of Denver confers roughly 771 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $58,126 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 146 | $58,126 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 135 | $93,856 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 107 | $63,583 |
| Marketing | 105 | $94,896 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 83 | $60,795 |
| Biology, General | 79 | $60,562 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 59 | $80,702 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 57 | — |
Is University of Denver safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Denver disclosed 91 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 15.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Denver?
About 47% of undergraduates at University of Denver live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 16% of men join a fraternity and 14% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Colorado parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Denver
Common questions parents ask about University of Denver
What GPA do I need for University of Denver?
63% of enrolled students at University of Denver had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Denver typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 600–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 655. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–33.
How much does University of Denver actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Denver after grants and scholarships is $36,131 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $61,398. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Denver realistic for my child?
University of Denver admits 77% of applicants, so 600–700 SAT Math is target range and below 600 is a reach. Then check the $36,131 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Denver?
University of Denver accepts about 77% of applicants out of roughly 18,785 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Denver test-optional?
Yes. University of Denver is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Denver?
About 76% of students at University of Denver graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at University of Denver?
University of Denver's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 77%, compared with its overall rate of 77%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does University of Denver look for in applicants?
University of Denver rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Denver a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Denver is a private nonprofit institution located in Denver, Colorado.
What are the most popular majors at University of Denver?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Denver by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Communication and Media Studies. The school awards about 771 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Denver safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Denver reported 91 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 15.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Denver?
At University of Denver, 47% of undergraduates live on campus, 16% of men are in fraternities, 14% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Denver, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers