CU Boulder vs. DU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than DU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 12,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Denver 9:1.

CU Boulder vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 University of Colorado Boulder than DU ($26,231 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 3.8% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($17,759 vs. $18,468).
• University of Denver is 291.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $45,732 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at DU than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $16,480 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at University of Colorado Boulder (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 202.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($33,955 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. DU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 10 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming CU Boulder 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: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; DU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 9.1% at DU.

CU Boulder vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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).

• University of Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $4,199 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($201 vs. $245).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.