Colorado College vs. DU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with University of Denver in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; University of Denver 9:1.

Colorado College vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or DU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado College than DU ($36,123 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 9.8% lower than at University of Denver ($16,020 vs. $17,759).
• Colorado College is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DU (about $9,336 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Colorado College than at University of Denver (about $9,336 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Colorado College (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 49.7% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($50,834 vs. $33,955).

Colorado College vs. DU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College or DU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between DU and Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 20 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming Colorado College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at DU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; DU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at DU (3.72).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 9.1% at DU.

Colorado College vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College and DU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Denver's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $3,199 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($211 vs. $245).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.