Tour Tuesday: University of Denver
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this campus tour series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground! I recently spent a week in Colorado visiting over 10 schools in Colorado and Wyoming, so you’ll be seeing many of those schools first.
University of Denver: Mountains, Mentorship, and a Global Mindset
Overview
When families visit the University of Denver (DU), one theme quickly emerges: this is a school built around helping students grow in four key dimensions - what they call the 4D Experience. Students are encouraged to:
Deepen their intellect
Develop their well-being
Discover their character
Design careers and lives of purpose
It’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s really baked into the student experience here. With about 5,700 undergrads and 6,100 graduate students, DU is technically a mid-sized university, but thanks to many of the graduate programs being remote, the campus still feels undergraduate-focused.
Families will also notice the diversity of the student body: about 30% are from Colorado, 30% are students of color, and 20% are first-generation students. The gender split leans slightly female (56% to 44%), and the community has a strong, welcoming vibe.
Looking ahead, DU is making big investments in its undergrad experience, including a brand new STEM research building just for undergraduates that is scheduled to open in 2027.
Quick Look
Location: Denver, Colorado – light rail on campus, 15 min to downtown, access to mountains
Students: ~5,700 undergrads, ~6,100 grad students (campus still feels undergrad-focused)
Popular Programs: Psychology, Biology, Business, International Studies, Computer Science
Student Life Highlights: Alpine Club, Winter Carnival at a ski resort, 100+ orgs, Greek life (18%)
Athletics: No football, but a powerhouse in ice hockey, gymnastics, and soccer
Study Abroad: 70% of students participate; juniors with a 3.0 GPA study abroad at no extra cost (airfare & visas covered)
Cost (2025 est.): ~$79K sticker; 99% receive aid; merit $16K–$33K/year plus housing grant
Who Thrives Here: Students who want small classes, global experiences, and access to both city life and the outdoors
Location
DU’s campus sits in South Denver, with a light rail station right on campus. Students get free public transit passes, making it easy to get downtown in about 15 minutes. Denver itself offers incredible internship opportunities, cultural events, and, of course, proximity to the mountains. For students who love skiing, hiking, or weekend road trips, DU’s location is hard to beat.
Academics
As an R1 research institution, DU balances big-time academic resources with small class sizes. The average class size is just 24 students, and 99% of classes are faculty taught. Upper-level courses stay intimate too, usually around 25 students.
DU offers strong programs across the board:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Business
Global and Public Affairs
Engineering and Computer Science
Psychology (home to the Kinesiology department)
The top five majors here are: psychology, biology, business, international studies, and computer science.
A few things stand out:
Accelerated programs – About 20% of students pursue a 5-year dual degree program, graduating with both a bachelor’s and master’s.
Quarter system – DU runs on 10-week quarters. Students take more classes overall, which is why many graduate with one major and two minors. The rhythm also means a 6-week winter break and summers running from mid-June to early September.
Hands-on learning – DU has four maker spaces and is committed to student research.
Mentorship & Support
DU takes student support seriously. Each student has:
An academic advisor
A career and professional development coach
Access to free tutoring
Peer mentorship opportunities
There are also highly rated support programs for neurodiverse students, first-generation students, and veterans.
Student Life
With 100+ student organizations, there’s something for everyone. The most popular? The Alpine Club, which organizes day trips and weekend adventures into the mountains (with discounts on ski passes). Right behind it in popularity is the Dungeons & Dragons Club, showing that DU students have a range of interests.
Greek life involves about 18% of the student body, and traditions run strong. Each quarter brings special events, but the most famous is the Winter Carnival, where DU rents out an entire ski resort for students to celebrate together.
Other highlights:
DU is a wet campus, with a popular student bar on the 4th floor overlook.
The Mountain Campus (724 acres, two hours away) serves as a retreat space, especially for first-year students during fall quarter.
Athletics
DU is a powerhouse in athletics - just not in football. Instead, students cheer for top-tier teams in men’s ice hockey, gymnastics, and men’s soccer. DU has even won the Director’s Cup for non-football schools, highlighting its athletic excellence across the board.
Housing
Students are required to live on campus for their first two years, which helps build community. First-years live in traditional dorms, while upperclassmen can move into affinity housing or living-learning communities.
Study Abroad
If there’s one thing DU is famous for, it’s study abroad. About 70% of students go abroad, supported by 100+ partner programs in 45+ countries.
Here’s the best part: if your student has a 3.0 GPA by junior year, DU covers airfare, visa costs, and program fees, so study abroad comes at no extra cost beyond DU tuition. That’s rare, and students absolutely love the experience.
Admissions Information
DU is looking for students who’ve challenged themselves in high school. Their most recent admitted student averages were:
GPA: 3.68–4.0 (weighted)
SAT: 1250–1420
ACT: 28–33
But here’s the key: 70% of applicants don’t submit test scores, and DU doesn’t weigh them heavily. Instead, they focus on GPA, course rigor, and grade trends. There are no supplemental essays required, though if a student has an upward grade trend, it’s worth explaining that in the additional info section.
Applying Early Decision comes with some benefits:
DU will meet full demonstrated need for top scholars.
Students receive an extra $5,000 in annual merit aid.
Admission consideration is stronger.
Cost & Scholarships
DU’s published total cost of attendance is about $79,193 per year. That number is steep, but here’s the good news:
99% of students receive merit aid
Merit scholarships range from $16,000 to $33,000 annually, and many come with a $3,000 housing grant
On average, need-based aid packages come in around $50,000
The Net Price Calculator on DU’s website is very accurate for families wanting to estimate real costs
In short, very few families actually pay the full sticker price.
Fun Facts & Traditions
DU is also an arboretum, so the campus doubles as a living collection of trees.
It’s a sneaky big campus - larger than most families expect when they first visit.
The community is highly international, and hospitality/international studies majors are required to study abroad.
Students love their 6-week winter break, which is longer than most schools offer.
Final Thoughts
The University of Denver is a great option for students who want a personalized, mentorship-driven education paired with incredible opportunities beyond the classroom. It’s especially appealing for students who value study abroad, small class sizes, and access to both a major city and the mountains.
This is the kind of school where a student can major in psychology, minor in Spanish and business, spend a quarter abroad in Madrid, and still graduate on time—because DU has built its entire system to support exploration, growth, and purpose.
For families looking for a school that balances rigor with support, adventure with community, and global perspective with Colorado roots, DU is worth a serious look.
