CU Denver vs. UNK

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or UNK is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Colorado Denver vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
University of Colorado Denver University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

CU Denver UNK
Location Denver, CO Kearney, NE
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 23,744 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver UNK
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $12,036
Room & Board $14,230 $11,390
Avg Net Price $16,079 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

CU Denver UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 6,794
Admitted 11,658 5,842
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 86%
Enrolled % 14.6% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1260 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

CU Denver UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

CU Denver UNK
Graduation Rate 40% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $219 $219

Diversity

CU Denver UNK
% Men 40% 34%
% Women 60% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 79%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 8% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver UNK
% In-State 82% 85%
% Out-of-State 15% 11%

Campus

CU Denver UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 6,041 students)

CU Denver vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or UNK?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 40.5% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 116% higher at CU Denver than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($25,992.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than UNK ($16,079 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 24.9% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($11,390 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than University of Colorado Denver (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 28.9% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,384 vs. $7,282)

CU Denver vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or CU Denver .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 6 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or UNK? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNK and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than University of Colorado Denver (61% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $24,800 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $60 lower median federal student loan debt than UNK graduates. ($21,190 vs. $21,250)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney and CU Denver graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($219 vs. $219)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/