University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Admission to the University of Colorado Denver is relatively accessible, though the institution sees modest pull among admitted applicants. In the 2027 U.S. News rankings, the university stood at 236, having slipped from 207 in 2018. For 2025, the undergraduate acceptance rate was 74.7%, which was higher than 20% of peer schools in a comparison group of 30 public comprehensive universities with similar rankings. While most applicants receive offers of admission, relatively few choose to attend. The university recorded a yield rate of 13.1%, a figure that was higher than 7% of peer schools in the same group. This demonstrates that admitted students frequently hold alternative collegiate options and decide to enroll elsewhere. For families and prospective students planning applications, these patterns suggest that gaining entry is comparatively attainable, but the university continues to compete against other institutions to convert acceptances into final matriculation.

Standardized test scores for entering undergraduates at the University of Colorado Denver fall into a moderate range. For the class entering in 2025, the median SAT score was 1100, which is higher than 21% of peer schools in a comparison group of public comprehensive universities with similar rankings. Among enrolled students submitting ACT results, the middle 50% composite score spanned from 23 to 32. Because a minority of incoming students submit standardized testing, these published figures reflect a subset of the freshman class rather than the entire cohort. Prospective applicants aiming for admission can target composite test results within or above these mid-ranges to align with the academic profile of enrolled peers. In addition to test scores, maintaining steady high school grades and completing core secondary coursework helps demonstrate academic readiness for undergraduate study at Denver.

Academic strengths at the University of Colorado Denver diverge between undergraduate study and graduate professional education. At the undergraduate level, completions are somewhat concentrated, with the top three majors accounting for 38.9% of bachelor's degrees in 2025. The single largest undergraduate program was Business Administration and Management, which conferred 445 degrees, followed by Registered Nursing and General Biology. However, the university's highest-ranked offerings are concentrated in graduate healthcare and public administration rather than its largest undergraduate departments. In the 2026 U.S. News rankings, the graduate Medical School placed 1 for research and 2 for primary care, while Nursing-Midwifery ranked 1 and Physician Assistant studies placed 3 in 2025. In terms of compensation, 2023 earnings data show strong early outcomes for technical disciplines, where Computer and Information Sciences graduates achieved median earnings of $86,784 one year after graduation. For applicants, these patterns suggest that while healthcare and medicine dominate national acclaim, undergraduate students find substantial workforce value in business and technical fields.

The student population at the University of Colorado Denver is diverse and weighted toward advanced degree programs, enrolling 23,124 students in 2025. Undergraduates comprise first-time freshmen, transfer students, and continuing learners, while graduate students make up nearly two-fifths of overall enrollment. Among the entering freshman cohort, Asian students represented 11.8% of the group, and international students totaled 68 individuals. Hispanic and White learners constitute the largest racial groups among undergraduate freshmen, followed by Asian and Black peers. In the graduate division, White students form the majority, accompanied by substantial Hispanic representation, while international students totaled 637. Female students hold a clear majority across all major academic levels, including undergraduate classes and advanced professional schools. For prospective applicants, the university offers an urban educational environment characterized by broad ethnic representation and a prominent cohort of graduate scholars.

The age structure at the University of Colorado Denver reveals distinct generational profiles across degree levels. Among undergraduates in 2025, the largest cohort was students aged 20 to 21, representing 22.7% of the undergraduate body, while students aged 18 to 19 and early-college entrants under 18 each accounted for over a fifth of degree seekers. In contrast, the graduate division serves a mature demographic, where students aged 25 to 29 formed the single largest group at 34%. Older working adults in their thirties also maintain a notable presence. This dynamic creates a campus environment that blends traditional undergraduate student life with career-focused professionals pursuing post-baccalaureate training.

International enrollment at the University of Colorado Denver has expanded steadily at the undergraduate level while remaining stable in graduate programs. In 2025, international students comprised 8.1% of all undergraduates, an increase over previous years. This undergraduate share is higher than all peer schools in a comparison group of 30 public comprehensive universities with similar rankings. At the graduate level, international enrollment stood at 6.9% in 2025, reflecting a more modest presence. Among graduating students, international representation varies sharply across specific fields of study rather than being evenly distributed. At the undergraduate level, international graduates were heavily concentrated in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, accounting for 87.6% of degrees in that major, as well as a large portion of degrees in Speech Communication and Rhetoric. At the master's level, international students earned 53.5% of degrees awarded in Information Science and Studies, alongside significant representation in Management Science. For prospective international students, these figures highlight established academic pathways in quantitative and analytical disciplines.

Prospective students exploring educational institutions around Denver have several notable alternatives within the surrounding area. The closest option is University of Denver, a National University located 8.1 kilometers away that placed at 121 in the 2027 U.S. News rankings. Also situated nearby is Regis University, located 10.7 kilometers from the campus and ranked 276 among National Universities. For those considering institutions slightly farther afield, Colorado School of Mines is located 20.5 kilometers away and held a rank of 80 on the 2027 National Universities list. Finally, University of Colorado Boulder sits 29.3 kilometers away with a 2027 ranking of 109 among National Universities. Reviewing these regional options allows applicants to evaluate institutions with different institutional missions, settings, and national standings across the state.

Campus safety records at the University of Colorado Denver show moderate overall incident numbers, with reported offenses primarily involving substance violations and vehicle property crimes. In 2025, the school recorded a crime rate per 1,000 students of 7.8, representing a downward trend from earlier years. Looking across the three-year window from 2023 to 2025, disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations formed the single largest category, totaling 154 incidents. Property crime was also prominent, led by 120 motor vehicle thefts over that same period. Drug law enforcement accounted for additional incidents, consisting of arrests and disciplinary referrals, while stalking and alcohol-related arrests occurred in smaller numbers. Violent offenses remained infrequent on campus records. For families and students assessing urban campus life, these figures demonstrate that daily security considerations primarily revolve around securing personal vehicles and addressing substance compliance rather than navigating widespread personal violence.