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

University of Denver is a private institution located in Denver, Colorado with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Denver admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 71%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1344 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,037 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Denver is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for University of Denver?

University of 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. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

What does University of Denver weight in admissions?

University of Denver reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

SAT and ACT scores University of Denver typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 655. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

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.

How much does University of Denver actually cost?

Published tuition is $59,340 for in-state students and $59,340 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,049 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,037 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 15% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Denver

Will my child graduate from University of Denver?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

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. Major popularity is a practical signal of where a school concentrates its teaching strength and where your child will find the deepest course offerings and peer community.

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. Per-1,000-student rates matter more than raw counts when comparing schools, because larger universities mechanically report more incidents. Under the federal Clery Act, every college that receives federal aid must publish these numbers annually.

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

• University of Colorado Boulder
  83% acceptance
• Colorado State University-Fort Collins
  90% acceptance
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
  78% acceptance
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  99% acceptance
• Colorado College
  97% acceptance
• Community College of Denver
  93% acceptance
• Arapahoe Community College
• Colorado School of Mines
  20% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about University of Denver