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Your chances of getting into University of Denver

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

64%
Admission Difficulty for University of Denver
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at DU is 64%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

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

DU is a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Last year, 14,440 out of the 22,694 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 20 percent on standardized admission tests. University of Denver typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Check if you have the grades and scores to get into DU and calculate your admission chance.

Admission Requirements in Brief

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

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.72 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1300 on the SAT
  • Score 29 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Denver. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 24% of students submitted SAT scores and 27% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

DU SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1200-1390

Applicants Submitting SAT 

24%
SAT Scores for University of Denver
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 610
SAT Math 25th 590
SAT Composite 25th 1200
SAT Scores for University of Denver
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 700
SAT Math 75th 690
SAT Composite 75th 1390
Average SAT Score 1300

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

University of Denver is a test optional school meaning you are not required to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

Students who get into University of Denver score in the top 24 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1200-1390 and the average score is 1300.  DU ranks #3 in the state of Colorado and #162 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score. You should target scoring 1300 or above to be competitive with most other applicants.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 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 1295, you have around a 64% chance of being admitted. A 1295 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 77% chance of getting in.

University of Denver admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1390 and Above Good >77%
1295 to 1390 Avg + 64%-77%
1200 to 1295 Avg - 48%-64%
1105 to 1200 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 1105 Low <33%
Calculate My Chances 
Connect with DU

Engage with counselors on a personal level to demonstrate your interest in their school and get answers to all of your admissions-related questions.

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DU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

27-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

27%
ACT Scores for University of Denver
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 26
ACT Math 25th 25
ACT Composite 25th 27
ACT Scores for University of Denver
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 34
ACT Math 75th 29
ACT Composite 75th 31
Average ACT Score 29

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into DU?

University of Denver is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

DU regularly accepts students who score 27 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 15 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 27-31.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

University of Denver admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >77%
29 to 31 Avg + 64%-77%
27 to 29 Avg - 48%-64%
25 to 27 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 25 Low <33%
Calculate My Chances 

DU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.72

Typical High School Grades 

A-

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

You are required to have very good grades in high school to get into DU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of Denver was 3.72 on the 4.0 scale. This indicates that primarily A- average high school students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #5 in Colorado for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as DU accepts 64% of students who apply.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Denver students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 35.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

70% of University of Denver freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Denver students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 36%
Top 25% of class 70%
Top 50% of class 93%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

University of Denver admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 13,384 9,310 22,694
Accepted 8,646 5,794 14,440
Acceptance Rate 65% 62% 64%
Enrolled 919 702 1,621
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 12% 11%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2023

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 15, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Denver is $65.

Application Requirements

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

University of Denver Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

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

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Denver often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=127060 IPEDS survey data for University of Denver.

FAQs

Does University of Denver prefer SAT or ACT?

24% of students submit their SAT scores to DU. 27% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of Denver?

64% of those who apply are granted admission to DU. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of Denver?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1200 and 1390. 24% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of Denver?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 27 and 31. 27% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.