Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Denver #817 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,223 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Denver in the 81.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $78,504, placing University of Denver in the 86.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Denver's composite ranking reflects balanced strength across access, mobility, and return on investment. The institution's earnings performance combines with its business-program concentration to deliver consistent financial outcomes for graduates.
Azimuth ranks University of Denver #817 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 44.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Denver, Colorado, University of Denver enrolls roughly 6,025 undergraduates. Retention is 88.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 75.6%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Denver performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Denver #223 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 85.0 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $78,504, placing University of Denver in the 86.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $7,223 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Denver in the 81.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Denver sits in the 22.8 percentile for access and the 10.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 14.2% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 19.0% first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective admissions posture typical of private research universities. Mobility outcomes rank in the 50.6 percentile, indicating that while earnings are strong, the institution's access to low-income and first-generation students remains more limited than at broader-access peers. For admitted students, University of Denver offers need-based financial aid; prospective families should explore detailed affordability scenarios in the Financial GPS tool.
University of Denver's published cost of attendance is $78,476. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,097, middle-income families pay around $22,940, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,222. Azimuth ranks University of Denver #1277 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Denver's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available and may reduce net price further for qualifying students, particularly those with strong academic credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,844, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,813; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,504, median federal debt of $21,844 projects to a monthly payment of about $247 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Denver is a strong fit for students interested in business, social sciences, and applied fields who want a private university experience in Denver, CO — a city with a moderate cost of living and strong regional labor-market access. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $78,504, placing University of Denver in the 86.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $7,223 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Denver in the 81.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 14.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.0% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the $47,222 published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 77.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented and social-science fields over STEM-heavy ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Denver hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Denver's published cost of attendance is $78,476. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,097, middle-income families pay around $22,940, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,222.
Azimuth ranks University of Denver #1277 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of Denver's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are also available and may reduce net price further for qualifying students, particularly those with strong academic credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,844, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,813; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,504, median federal debt of $21,844 projects to a monthly payment of about $247 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Denver earn median 4-year earnings of $78,504, placing University of Denver in the 86.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,223 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Denver in the 81.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Denver #223 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Denver's concentration in business and professional fields.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 146 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,161, performing at 1.1× the national benchmark for the field. The Finance program graduates 135 students earning median 4-year earnings of $99,135, and Communication and Media Studies delivers median 4-year earnings of $63,374 across 107 graduates.
Digital Marketing and International Relations and National Security Studies round out the top programs, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $74,173 and $59,895 respectively. The concentration in Business — which represents a substantial share of degrees — helps explain the institution's solid long-term earnings outcomes and competitive positioning relative to peer institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Charleston Similar quality tier (#21392 ranked) | WV | 62% | $55,774 | #21392 | Compare |
Quinnipiac University Similar quality tier (#21399 ranked) | CT | 72% | $83,759 | #21399 | Compare |
Everglades University Similar quality tier (#21407 ranked) | FL | 81% | $47,597 | #21407 | Compare |
University Of Indianapolis Similar quality tier (#21411 ranked) | IN | 67% | $53,610 | #21411 | Compare |
Brandeis University Similar quality tier (#21352 ranked) | MA | 41% | $77,231 | #21352 | Compare |
Computer Science
49 graduates
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
57 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
135 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
41 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
32 graduates
University of Denver's program mix is anchored in business, engineering, and professional fields — a portfolio shaped by the institution's private research-university identity in a major metropolitan market. Psychology, General is the largest program with 146 graduates, followed by Finance, Communication and Media Studies, Digital Marketing, and International Relations and National Security Studies.
Across ranked programs serving roughly 1,567 students annually, several deliver strong median four-year earnings outcomes aligned with national labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects University of Denver's strength in applied professional fields.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduates earn median four-year earnings of $104,087 with 57 graduates, while Finance graduates earn $99,135 and Digital Marketing graduates earn $74,173. Business/Commerce, General and Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology round out the highest-earning programs with median four-year earnings of $74,033 and $69,725 respectively.
The concentration in Business — supported by 32% in Business, 16% in Social Sciences, and 6% in Arts — positions graduates for direct entry into professional labor markets with stable hiring demand and competitive compensation. Many of University of Denver's strongest programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect national labor-market outcomes.
The supply and demand for college graduates provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with broader economic trends and employer recruitment patterns across the Denver region and nationally.
