A Complete Guide to Colleges in Denver

3 Popular Universities in Denver

If your heart is set on attending school near the Rocky Mountains, we've highlighted a selection of colleges in Denver, Colorado, for you to consider.

All school data below comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Tuition and fees are from 2022-2023, while acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, net prices, and number of applicants are from 2021.

• 1. University of Colorado Denver

  
  

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $9,562 (in-state) | $26,818 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 72%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 24,267

  CU Denver is one of Colorado's largest universities and the biggest college in Denver. From the campus, you can drive 20 minutes to the mountains or walk just five minutes to an Avalanche hockey game.

  Local students can take advantage of the CU Promise, a guarantee that Colorado residents from low-income families can afford to attend the school.

  CU Denver is the only university in Colorado to offer degree programs in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture. You can also specialize in areas like geography design and historic preservation.

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• 2. Regis University

  
  
  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $42,220
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 5,566

  Regis is a small private Catholic university in northwest Denver. The school's robust career center frequently connects students to internships and networking opportunities.

  In terms of aid, 100% of first-year students received financial aid in 2022, with an average of $39,816 awarded. After graduation, Regis alums earned a median salary of $62,400 in 2022.

  Regis is known for its nursing, business, education, and computer science programs. What's more, 3 in 4 alums work in a field related to their major.

• 3. University of Denver

  
  
  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $56,439
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 14,130

  DU is a private university that approaches education using a "four-dimensional experience." Essentially, the university and its students prioritize four key goals: advancing intellectual growth, promoting well-being, exploring character, and pursuing careers and lives of purpose.

  At DU, 87% of undergraduates receive financial aid. The university offers many merit scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 a year.

  While the main campus is in Denver, students can also spend time at the Kennedy Mountain Campus nestled in the Rocky Mountains. As part of DU's orientation, incoming students spend one weekend at the mountain campus during the fall term.

List of All Denver Colleges and Universities

We've compiled an exhaustive list of four-year nonprofit schools in Denver. In the table below, you can view and compare student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

Source: NCES

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Denver

How many colleges are in Denver?

There are only six four-year nonprofit colleges and universities in Denver. If you count community colleges, the list jumps to 10. When looking at the entire state of Colorado, there are just over 30 four-year nonprofit universities.

Do I qualify for in-state tuition in Denver?

Colorado residents who've lived in the state for at least one full year prior to enrolling can qualify for in-state tuition.

Some colleges in Denver, like Metropolitan State University of Denver and CU Denver, offer reduced tuition rates to students from nearby states. The Western Undergraduate Exchange program allows you to pay a reduced rate when attending college in participating states, which includes Colorado.

Other participating states include Alaska, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

What is the cheapest college in Denver?

At $14,195, Metropolitan State University of Denver has the lowest average annual net price of all four-year nonprofit universities in Denver.

In 2022, the cost of tuition and fees at MSU Denver was $10,260 for in-state students and $28,092 for out-of-state students, according to NCES.

What is the cost of living in Denver?

According to Payscale, the cost of living in Denver is 11% higher than the national average. Though utilities and groceries are on the lower end, housing costs keep Denver's cost of living high.

Fortunately for college students, student housing options and campus areas are often more affordable than owning a home or renting downtown.

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