About CU Denver
University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver was formed on January 11, 1973, lawmakers, upon proclamation of the governor, amend that state constitution to establish additional CU campuses, transforming the University of Colorado - Denver Center into the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver). In 1977, CU Denver students began taking classes on the Auraria campus. Today, CU Denver educates more than 15,000 students and is the only public urban research institution in the state of Colorado.
The University of Colorado Denver offers a unique academic experience for students. Conveniently located in the heart of Denver, our students have unparalleled access to the business, cultural and political capital of the West. CU Denver is where academic rigor meets city vigor.
More and more undergraduates are discovering the value of classes in the city taught by professors who are connected to local companies and organizations. New housing adjacent to campus, easy commuting by RTD Light Rail and discounts to cultural and sporting events give students many options for immersion in vibrant city life. In addition, affiliations with research labs and hospitals at CU Anschutz make CU Denver an excellent place to start a health care career.
The University of Colorado Denver enrolls students from 46 different states and countries, and awards over 3,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees every year. It is known for its programs in urban sustainability, criminal justice, business, education, applied science and engineering, film and music industry as well as a full array of professional health programs. The graduate student population is a diverse mix of ages and ethnicities, creating a rich environment for learning and networking.
Other reasons why students choose the University of Colorado Denver:
Small class sizes: average undergraduate student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1.
The Denver vibe: Colorado has always attracted the adventurous. Denver ranks as #2 Best Place to Live (U.S. News & World Report), with an extensive network of bike trails and quick access to mountain sports. CU Denver is adjacent to a thriving arts district.
Collaborative culture: Cross-disciplinary learning and research is a core value: programs blend technology with health care, business with public policy, and behavioral health with architecture.
Choices: With seven schools and colleges offering more than 100 degree programs, the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medial Campus is a major university for the coming century.
About Our Students
The diversity of our student body is a source of deep pride. With students of color making up 42 percent of the student body, CU Denver is the most diverse research university in Colorado. Classes are filled with traditional students who enrolled after high school as well as transfer students and those who delayed college entry. Many professionals enroll mid-career to retool and strengthen their skills. The average age of an undergraduate student is 23 years while the average graduate student is 31 years old.
Bringing a rich mix of backgrounds, students travel across the country and the world to attend CU Denver. Domestic students come from 48 states and international students from 68 countries. All take advantage of convenient courses at times that meet their schedules. An enviable student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1 and a high-tech advising platform means students receive focused attention from professors and a clear path to graduation.
University Quick Facts
CU Denver Quick Facts*
Enrollment
- 15,162 students
- 70% undergraduate, 30% graduate/professional
- 73% full-time students
- 86% from Colorado
- 14% nonresident students of which International students come from 66 different countries
- 44% male, 55% female
- 43% of new undergraduate students are transfers
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
Diverse Population
- 50% of enrolled students are students of color
- 51% of all new enrolled students are students of color
- Average age of undergraduate students: 23
- Average age of graduate students: 31
- Students from 49 states and DC and 66 countries
Average entering ACT score
- 23.0 Composite
Average entering SAT score
- 550 Math
- 551 Verbal
Average high school GPA
- 3.5
Schools and Colleges on the CU Denver Campus
College of Architecture and Planning
College of Arts & Media
Business School
School of Education & Human Development
College of Engineering, Design and Computing
Graduate School
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
School of Public Affairs
Programs
More than 100 degrees and programs across seven schools and colleges
Degrees
- Bachelor’s
- Master’s
- Doctoral
- First professional
Most-enrolled Undergraduate Degree Programs
- Biology
- Psychology
- Music
- Fine Arts
- Architecture
Most-enrolled Graduate Degree Programs
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Counseling
- Architecture
- Leadership for Education Equity
Research Funding
More than $400 million in sponsored research annually
Alumni
- 100,000+ alumni
- 67% live in Colorado
National Rankings
US News and World Report 2022
- #113 among Top Public Schools
- #106 Top Performer on Social Mobility
- #161 for Best Undergraduate Engineering programs
- #28 in Graduate Healthcare Management programs
- #25 among Graduate Public Affairs programs
- #10 in Environmental Policy and Management
- #13 in Nonprofit Management
- #11 in Public Finance and Budgeting
- #22 in Public Management and Leadership
- #25 in Public Policy Analysis
- #134 in online graduate education programs
Among Top Public Schools (2021)
- #47 for part-time MBA programs
- #19 for best online Master's in Criminal Justice program
- #97 for best online Master's in Education
- #16 for Graduate Public Affairs programs
- #59 for Statistics Programs
- #48 for Clinical Psychology Graduate program
- #80 for Mathematics Graduate programs
*Based on Fall 2020 enrollment
From the Chancellor
Welcome to Colorado’s public urban research university, where a diverse student body through quality academics, ambitious research and creative work, and community engagement in the city we call home. We are CU in the city.
Your success is our #1 priority. At CU Denver, you will benefit from:
Academic choices: More than 100 high-quality, in-demand degree programs in seven schools and colleges, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees; hands-on learning opportunities, including work in research labs, service learning, study abroad and work-study;
Powerful connections: To partnerships, projects, internships and career opportunities in downtown Denver; to the vibrant arts and culture scene at our front door; and to a network of influential alumni who are leaders in Denver’s civic, nonprofit and business communities;
Outstanding location: Access to a vibrant, safe urban lifestyle; resources and support to develop innovative solutions to complex local and global issues; and opportunities to build your skills in the city ranked by Forbes as the #1 Best Place for Business and Careers.
CU Denver is a place of academic excellence, where you will gain the powerful combination of immersive classroom and project-based experiences that are in demand today. Here you will meet gifted faculty, experts in their field, dedicated to student success, academic excellence and the real-world applications of their research and creative work. You’ll interact with fellow students who are diverse, goal-oriented and energetic. Whether you engage in undergraduate or graduate studies, the University of Colorado Denver degree earns global respect and you can be confident that you will have been well-prepared for the next stage of your work or academic life.
We’re delighted you’ve chosen CU Denver!
Michelle A. Marks, PhD
Chancellor
CU Denver Strategic Priorities
In 2016, CU Denver established five strategic priorities to guide its ongoing success as Colorado’s public, urban, research university.
- Elevate student success through increased enrollment, retention and graduation rates.
- Advance scholarly excellence and innovation in teaching, research and creative work.
- Strengthen our position and impact as a vital community asset.
- Create a more cohesive, collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Achieve long-term financial sustainability and stability.
CU Denver 2030
Strategic Planning
The 100 Days of Listening report serves as the foundation for CU Denver's strategic planning process. With the report's initial discoveries in mind, we turn our attention toward creating a vision and strategy to differentiate CU Denver and realize our full potential as a public urban research university.
With our sights set on who we want to be in 2030, we welcome all members of the CU Denver community to share their boldest ideas.
To learn more about CU Denver's Strategic Planning initiatives, please visit our website.
Our History
CU Denver is one of four campuses that make up the University of Colorado system. We began in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder. In 1973, we became an independent campus, and the University of Colorado Denver was officially founded. In 2023, we will celebrate CU Denver's 50th anniversary.
CU Denver Timeline
Take a look at where we began, occupying one building in downtown Denver, and where we ended up—we now serve more than 15,000 students a year.
1912 – 1972
The Denver Extension
In 1912, the University of Colorado in Boulder established the Denver extension to offer courses in downtown Denver. By 1969, academic offerings included 34 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1971, the current College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was established. These early years made it clear there was a need for quality academic programs in the city of Denver.
1973 – 1979
University of Colorado Denver Established
In 1973, Colorado lawmakers amended the state constitution to establish additional CU campuses, transforming the University of Colorado – Denver Center into the University of Colorado Denver. In its first year as an independent institution, CU Denver founded the School of Education & Human Development and the School of Public Affairs.
In 1977, CU Denver students began taking classes on the Auraria Campus, alongside students from Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver. CU Denver students, faculty, and alumni marched on the Colorado State Capitol in 1979—to preserve the university's sovereignty in the face of a potential merger.
1980 – 1990
Significant Growth
During the 1980s, CU Denver grew significantly as a university, establishing three additional colleges: the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Arts & Media, and the College of Engineering, Design and Computing. In 1990, the university acquired a new building at the corner of 14th and Larimer Streets, which became the CU Denver Building. This location east of Speer Boulevard extended the university’s footprint into LoDo (lower downtown).
1994
International College Beijing
In 1994, CU Denver joined forces with China Agricultural University to establish the International College Beijing (ICB). This global collaboration was the first of its kind in China. The cross-cultural exchange of students and faculty increased CU Denver’s reputation as a truly diverse academic community.
2000 – 2010
Colorado’s Public Urban Research University
In 2004, the Board of Regents voted to consolidate CU Denver with the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The consolidated CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus holds R1 status as a research university, the highest rating given by Carnegie Institute. CU Denver claimed its identity as “CU in the City,” Colorado’s only public urban research university.
2011 – 2013
Welcome Milo the Lynx
In 2013, CU Denver unveiled its official mascot, Milo the lynx, who was named for a combination of the Mile High City and the campus' location near Lower Downtown.
2014 – Present
Campus Construction
The first part of the new millennium also brought significant change to CU Denver's campus. In 2014, the Student Commons Building opened as the university’s first newly built facility, and in 2018, the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center opened as the first named building on campus. The year 2021 will mark completion of a new residence hall named City Heights, designed specifically for first-year students.
Accreditation
The University of Colorado Denver is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The commission can be contacted at:
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: 1-800-621-7440
Many professional organizations have also granted accreditation to specific academic programs, colleges and schools at the Denver Campus, including:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business-International
- Colorado State Board of Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation
- Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board
- National Architectural Accrediting Board
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- Planning Accreditation Board
Our Programs
As Colorado’s only public urban research university, CU Denver is devoted to the needs of the residents of the city and the region. A solid foundation of academic and general education is assured through a comprehensive core curriculum. Students may pursue graduate education through all of the campus’ colleges and schools. Pre-professional training in the fields of education, architecture, law, journalism and health careers is also available. Complete listings of areas of study available on the Denver Campus are available in the Programs section of the catalog.
The colleges and schools sections of this catalog provide information on bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, policies on requirements for graduation, course requirements, course descriptions and other similar information.
College of Architecture and Planning
College of Arts & Media
Business School
School of Education & Human Development
College of Engineering, Design and Computing Course
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
School of Public Affairs
Continuing and Professional Education
The Division of Continuing and Professional Education offers certificate/certification courses, professional development programs, precollegiate outreach programs and personal enrichment courses across the state of Colorado. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including traditional on-campus, off-campus, online, hybrid, weekend, evening, short and condensed courses and many others.
Registration and tuition vary by school or college. Contact the specific school or college to learn about current program and course offerings or send an inquiry to continuingeducation@ucdenver.edu.