University of Denver: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Denver, Colorado · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
77%
18,785 applicants
Median SAT
1310
Mid 50: 1210–1380
In-state tuition
$61,398
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$36,131
after aid, what families pay
Is University of Denver a reach, target or safety for your student?Check your chances free

Or open University of Denver in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.

Quick answer

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.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
39.0%
3.75–3.99
24.0%
3.50–3.74
18.0%
3.25–3.49
11.0%
3.00–3.24
6.0%
2.50–2.99
2.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Denver.

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

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important2 factors
  • 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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1210
50th percentile1310
75th percentile1380
% submitting SAT24%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile31
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT13%
Current testing policy
  • 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 class39%
Top 25% of class72%
Top 50% of class93%
% submitting class rank14%

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 admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 15
Notification dateMarch 15
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)77%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 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

Freshman retention
88.9%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
75.6%
finished within 6 years

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

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General146$58,126
Finance and Financial Management Services135$93,856
Communication and Media Studies107$63,583
Marketing105$94,896
International Relations and National Security Studies83$60,795
Biology, General79$60,562
Business/Commerce, General59$80,702
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods57
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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

Total offenses
91
15.1 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
14
2.32 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
10
1.66 per 1,000
Burglary
11
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,025 enrolled.

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.

Live on campus
47%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
16%
of men
In sororities
14%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Denver.

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