The Area: The University of Denver (known as DU) is located 5 miles south of downtown in a comfortable, residential part of the city. Students can utilize an on-campus light rail stop and be downtown in 15 minutes. The Rocky Mountain vistas make for some amazing views on campus, and a drive to the mountains (and major ski areas) takes approximately an hour. The uniquely situated campus offers a unique blend of urban access and amenities with unparalleled outdoor recreation and natural beauty. The immediate off-campus surroundings provide plenty of retail and dining options walkable to students (ranging from big box stores to more eclectic local retailers and restaurants).
The Campus: A designated arboretum, the 125 acres of DU contain an attractive blend of architectural styles, from traditional to modern, many in red brick. A small stone chapel is on the historic register; those who hike the 95 steps of the Carillon Tower are treated to panoramic views and a peek at one of the largest carillons in North America (students and guests can hear a song being played on this giant bell instrument every day around noon). DU is a pretty, walkable campus, and you’ll see tons of bikes scattered throughout the campus, which contains plenty of green spaces.
The well-endowed school invests in its buildings and infrastructure–some notable new construction includes a LEED-certified Residential Village for first-year students and a $64 million Community Commons (opened in 2021 and housing dining, organization & special event space, academic services, and plenty of lounge spaces–indoor and out).
With a $26 million donor gift, DU opened a second, mountain campus in 2021. Here, students can partake in a variety of activities and team-building programs, from hiking, yoga, and rock climbing to painting, writing, and more–all fully funded for all students.
The Students: The 6,000 undergrads are described as friendly and welcoming. The location and access to recreation like skiing and climbing are a big draw for outdoor enthusiasts from around the country, and 70% hail from outside of Colorado. The East Coast and Midwest have solid representation. Politics lean liberal and the students are, overall, a well-heeled bunch, though the school is committed to increasing access and diversity.
The Denver Pioneers compete in 17 DI sports, with many more club and recreational activities available. The Alpine Club hosts popular, low-cost ski trips on the weekend, and the annual Winter Carnival takes students and faculty to a major ski resort like Winter Park or Keystone for three days of skiing and good-natured competitions. Greek life, while present, does not dominate the campus social life. Nothing rivals the men’s hockey team's popularity, however, boasting the all-time most NCAA National Championships.
All focus does not go to recreation, as the DU crowd hasn’t forgotten they are also in college to learn. More than 70% of students have internships before graduation; 70% also study abroad around the globe–DU’s focus on a 4D Experience encourages engagement from day one.
Students are required to live on campus for two years. While many upperclass students take advantage of the numerous housing options in the immediate area, the college remains very much a residential campus.
Academics: DU has a broad core curriculum grounded in communication (writing and speaking), analytical skills, and career development. Students are required to demonstrate foreign language proficiency (some may be exempt), and all students take a First-Year Seminar focused on developing skills for success in college and beyond.
Students do not need to declare a major at the time of admissions (and the first-year advising program is set up to help undecided students figure this out), and no majors are limited or direct entry. The one exception is the music majors that require auditions for entry.
DU is one of a handful of colleges that utilizes a quarter system, meaning that classes move quickly and students are generally enrolled in fewer subjects at a time. Some students take advantage of the fourth summer term to get ahead or complete travel experiences, and DU also offers unique “Interterm” classwork and travel (for credit).
Undergrad students are the focus at DU, and all core classes are taught by senior faculty. Classes are small, with nearly 60% having less than 20 students; access to and support by faculty is strong, and more than 200 undergrads participate in research projects each year.
Strong/Notable Programs:
Business: The top-notch Daniels College of Business offers several majors and minors beyond the standard, including Real Estate, Hospitality Management, Construction Project Management, and Sales. It also offers several 4+1 degrees and a 3+2 program in Accounting.
Music: The Lamont School of Music is regarded as a premier music program and requires auditions for students interested in majoring or minoring in music. It also offers a secondary music major (BA, Music) to students studying other disciplines on campus.
Engineering/CS: BS degrees from the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science are all ABET-certified. Majors are available in Game Development, Mechatronics and Applied Computing, in addition to Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. A number of 4+1 programs exist at Ritchie, none of which require DU students to take a GRE before grad school.
Support for Learning Differences: DU offers a unique (and highly regarded) program to serve the needs of neurodiverse learners. Beyond the services offered by Disability Services, students enrolled in the Learning Effectiveness Program have access to unlimited tutoring, weekly meetings with an advisor (who acts as a liaison between student and professors), executive functioning support, and even social skills coaching.
Cost: 2024-25 The Total Cost of Attendance is $82,634 (including estimated travel, expenses, and book fees). 89% of students without need receive merit, and the average award is approximately $21,000.
Students seeking a medium-sized liberal arts college adjacent to a fantastic urban center with enviable access to outdoor recreation and scenery may want to check out the University of Denver.
Visit DU’s website to learn more and see if it's a good fit for you.