CU Denver vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

CU Denver vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or WVU? 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than WVU ($14,831 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 5.6% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($14,582 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $279 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at CU Denver than at West Virginia University (about $783 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($12,363 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or WVU? 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 WVU and CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 20 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); WVU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 24.8% at WVU.

CU Denver vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $2,811 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($21,190 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($219 vs. $248).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.