Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. Denver admits about 9 in 10 applicants (85%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 34% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (76% and 79%).
$65 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Colorado applicants were admitted at 85%, applicants from other states at 88%, and international applicants at 63%.
All applicants in the same class: 85%
Of those admitted, 8.5% from Colorado enrolled, against 8.2% from other states and 6.8% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
8% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
Wait list: 22 offered a place, 4 accepted, 0 admitted (0.0% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 85% admitted
231 of 273 early applicants; 85% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 15; decisions by Feb 20
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 15
Where you stand
How U. Denver reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. 56% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight. Scores are optional. 25% of first-years sent an SAT and 11% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 22% whose high school reported a rank, 34% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
81% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 85% of first-year applicants
460 applied · 373 admitted · 160 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date July 1, decisions on a rolling basis
- Winter entry: priority date October 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date February 1, decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: priority date May 1, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 15 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by March 15.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $200 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| Total | 15* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.68
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.035%
- 3.75–3.9921%
- 3.50–3.7418%
- 3.25–3.4911%
- 3.00–3.248%
- below 3.07%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 35.5% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 20.7% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 18.1% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 11.1% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 7.7% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 6.7% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.3% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
34% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 65% in the top quarter, of the 22% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Denver Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1265 on the SAT, 95 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
17% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
58% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
27% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
14% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
58% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
33% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 25% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 11% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
295 studentssubmitted ACT
130 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:University of Denver Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Denver Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;University of Denver Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Denver Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)