College comparison

CU Boulder vs University of Denver

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	CU Boulder Boulder, CO	University of Denver Denver, CO
Acceptance rateUniversity of Denver is more selective	78%	78%
SAT (25–75)	1240–1430	1240–1410
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	31,939	6,025
Avg net price	$25,346	$36,131
Median earnings (10 yr)University of Denver reports higher median earnings	$69,738	$71,155
Graduation rate	74%	76%
Median debt	$19,500	$21,844
Economic mobility	—	1.4%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Public	Private (nonprofit)

Quick answers

Is University of Colorado Boulder or University of Denver harder to get into?

University of Denver is more selective: University of Colorado Boulder's acceptance rate is approximately 78% and University of Denver's is approximately 78% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Denver?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1240–1430 at University of Colorado Boulder and 1240–1410 at University of Denver. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.