University of Denver

Getting in is the hard part. University of Denver admitted 77.8% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1240–1410 on the SAT and 28–33 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what University of Denver actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

With real-world internships, hands-on research, and global learning opportunities, you join a thriving community that turns ideas into outcomes.

The quarter system creates flexibility for students.

• 100+ majors and programsUndergraduate, graduate, certificate
• 9:1 student-to-faculty ratioClose instruction, faculty support
• Global learning experiencesStudy abroad, international partnerships

Verified from du.edu and du.edu and du.edu and du.edu and du.edu and du.edu and du.edu and du.edu.

• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from du.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• Why do you want to join the DU Honors Program?

  Up to 300 words

• Honors is a community of students who are hungry for knowledge. What's a topic you haven't had an opportunity to learn about in high school that you are excited to learn about in college?

  Up to 300 words

• Honors is a community of students who are self-directed learners and are passionate about a wide range of topics. What is something outside of school that you've independently developed a passion for?

  Up to 300 words

• The DU Honors Program cultivates student capacity for original academic inquiry and creative exploration. To graduate with University Honors, you must earn Distinction in your major. While requirements vary by department, distinction involves an extended research, scholarly, or creative project that is guided by the student's own interests and is completed over the course of a year or longer. Tell us about a time when you worked on a long-term project. What motivated you to pursue this project? What barriers did you face and how did you work to overcome them? What are you proudest of about the process or the outcome?

  Up to 300 words

• If you were asked to choose a topic for your distinction project today, what ideas, questions, or curiosities come to mind? What drives your curiosity in these topics?

  Up to 300 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from du.edu.

The sticker price is about $78,476, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $36,131.

DU makes a significant commitment to providing undergraduate students with University-funded scholarships and grants, with $169 million in institutional aid annually and 99 percent of undergraduates receiving some form of financial aid.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $71,155.

Verified from du.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Imagine yourself climbing a mountain at 14,000 feet on your day off, only to come down in the evening to go to an NFL game or see the Colorado Symphony.”

Students live and learn in dedicated residential communities, explore over 100 student clubs, experience world-class performing arts at the Newman Center, and stay active at the Coors Fitness Center.

Is University of Denver test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at University of Denver is optional.

How hard is it to get into University of Denver?

Very hard. University of Denver admits 77.8% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1240 to 1410 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does University of Denver cost?

The list price is about $78,476, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $36,131.

Is University of Denver worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $71,155 ten years after enrolling, and 77% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.