CU Denver vs. WKU

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or WKU 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. Western Kentucky University comparison
University of Colorado Denver Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Western Kentucky University
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Overview

CU Denver WKU
Location Denver, CO Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 23,744 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver WKU
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $27,000
Room & Board $14,230 $11,072
Avg Net Price $16,079 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

CU Denver WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 7,505
Admitted 11,658 7,276
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 96.9%
Enrolled % 14.6% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/25
SAT Range 1030/1260 980/1170
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 1, 2024

Academics

CU Denver WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

CU Denver WKU
Graduation Rate 40% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $219 $250

Diversity

CU Denver WKU
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 76%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 19% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 8% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver WKU
% In-State 82% 70%
% Out-of-State 15% 29%

Campus

CU Denver WKU
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 WKU based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 16,493 students)

CU Denver vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 27.2% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $8,736.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.9% higher at WKU than University of Colorado Denver ($27,000.00 vs. $25,992.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than CU Denver ($12,625 vs. $16,079)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 28.5% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($11,072 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than University of Colorado Denver (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 9.3% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($10,260 vs. $9,384)

CU Denver vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 8 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or WKU? 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 WKU and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than University of Colorado Denver (50% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $31,100 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $37,100)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $3,060 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($21,190 vs. $24,250)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($219 vs. $250)
  • More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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