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#4 Best Public Universities in Colorado

CU Denver Admission Requirements

Denver, Colorado

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Your chances of getting into University of Colorado Denver

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

74.6%
Admission Difficulty for University of Colorado Denver
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at CU Denver is 74.6%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into CU Denver and can you get accepted?

CU Denver is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 11,658 out of the 15,631 who applied were admitted.

University of Colorado Denver typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into CU Denver?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Colorado Denver you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.46 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1150 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT

CU Denver GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.46*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Colorado Denver?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into CU Denver are to have around a 3.46 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as CU Denver accepts 75% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at CU Denver is 3.46 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since CU Denver is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.46 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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CU Denver SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Colorado Denver. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1030-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT 

33%
SAT Scores for University of Colorado Denver
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1030
SAT Scores for University of Colorado Denver
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1260
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Colorado Denver?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at CU Denver is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1030-1260. Students who get into University of Colorado Denver score in the top 55 percent of all SAT test takers..  CU Denver ranks #8 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. CU Denver regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1030 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1030, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Colorado Denver is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1145, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

University of Colorado Denver admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1260 and Above Good >85%
1145 to 1260 Avg + 75%-85%
1030 to 1145 Avg - 61%-75%
915 to 1030 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 915 Low <45%
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CU Denver ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

9%
ACT Scores for University of Colorado Denver
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for University of Colorado Denver
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into CU Denver?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to CU Denver is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 27.  The school ranks #8 in Colorado for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

9 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Colorado Denver.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Colorado Denver is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into CU Denver for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 27 ACT score.

University of Colorado Denver admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >85%
24 to 27 Avg + 75%-85%
21 to 24 Avg - 61%-75%
18 to 21 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 18 Low <45%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Colorado Denver admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,630 6,001 15,631
Accepted 7,448 4,210 11,658
Acceptance Rate 77% 70% 75%
Enrolled 1,006 692 1,698
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 16% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

265

Applicants have 265 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Colorado Denver is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Colorado Denver and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Colorado Denver Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Colorado Denver
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because CU Denver is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.46 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1150 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Colorado Denver often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126562 IPEDS survey data for University of Colorado Denver.

Last updated February 24, 2024