University of Denver

At the University of Denver, students build the skills, knowledge, and perspective needed to thrive in a dynamic world and excel in meaningful careers. From our world-class faculty and facilities in the city of Denver to our campus in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, our Four-Dimensional Experience means we invest in every dimension of our students’ personal and professional development. At DU, we ignite academic excellence, foster exceptional character, architect powerful career readiness and nurture whole-body well-being.

Small class sizes, a focus on experiential learning, top-ranked study abroad programs and a strong and supportive alumni base help our students build the foundations needed to design lives and careers that lead to big impacts and positive changes. As one of the smallest private R1 institutions in the nation, we empower students to solve the challenging problems of our time and make new discoveries in our labs and our communities. And with our flexible quarter system, students are easily able to explore and pursue multiple majors and minors across disciplines, choosing from over 100 academic areas of study.

DU boasts 100 student organizations, 18 Division I athletic programs (including our ten-time national championship men’s hockey team), and 30 club and 20 intramural sports.

From DU

When applying to the University of Denver, you and your family might have a lot of questions about how you’ll cover the costs of tuition, housing and other expenses. Our office is dedicated to helping each family create a strategy that works for them.

Along with grants and scholarships, loans and work-study are commonly included in aid offers. Your academic profile and financial need will both factor into the type and amount of financial aid you receive. Your financial aid offer will likely include a combination of these different types of aid and can come from various sources, including the University and federal and state governments.

99% of new undergraduates receive one of our annual merit scholarships, ranging from $12,000 to $33,000 each year. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission.

To apply for need-based aid, students must submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. Our average need-based financial aid offer for first-year students is $51,002.

From DU

Grants and scholarships are funds you receive that are applied directly to the cost of your education. They come in two types: need-based and merit-based. Eligibility for need-based scholarships is determined by your financial aid application and takes into account you and your family’s financial situation. To be considered for need-based aid, students must submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic success or other accomplishments. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission to DU.

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At the University of Denver, you’ll be part of a culture that enriches every member of the DU community and advances the greater good. Our students are diversely talented and find many ways to contribute outside of academia, whether it’s through sports, the arts, community service, employment or student government.

Overall, our committee takes a holistic approach in considering a number of factors when shaping our class each year. While academic success is the main factor in our admission decisions, we value your essays and letters of recommendation, as well as your extracurricular activities. These help us learn how you can make a difference during your time at DU and how you’ll impact our community. DU has been test-optional since 2019.

You can apply to the University of Denver using the Common App at commonapp.org. You have the full support of the DU admission office. We’ll help to ensure the process is smooth so you can focus on your future.

DU offers both binding and non-binding options for both of our deadlines – Regular Decision and Early Action are non-binding, while Early Decision I and Early Decision II are both binding decisions that offer additional perks to applicants.

If you are considering applying Early Decision, DU Early Decision incentives include:

1. Additional $5,000 annual merit scholarship
2. DU meets full demonstrated need of top performers
3. Earlier admission and financial aid notifications
4. Stronger consideration for admission

From DU

At University of Denver, your degree can take you anywhere. Our annual First Destinations outcomes report highlights the first step on our students’ paths after graduation. Every year we report on data such as average salaries and top employment industries that not only highlight our graduates’ success, but illustrate how DU’s 4D Experience can truly lead to a career—and life—of purpose.

DU undergraduates reported the highest levels of employment in technology; education; hospitality and tourism; and real estate and construction, followed by financial services; health and human services; healthcare products and services; and accounting. Undergrads who decided to continue their education went into fields of study including finance, law, business analytics, accounting and more.

Each and every year for the past six years, undergraduates who took advantage of internships were more likely to report being employed after six months—and their starting salaries were $5,900 higher. And with more than 80% of DU graduates from the last three years reporting that they participated in an internship by graduation, it’s clear that gaining professional experience while enrolled in classes puts our students head and shoulders above the rest.