University of Denver (DU)

The University of Denver (DU) is a private university dedicated to the public good and we're committed to every student's holistic development. We provide students with a multitude of opportunities to build the skills, knowledge, and perspective they need to thrive in an ever-changing world and to create real, lasting change. This is the Four-Dimensional Experience, and it means we invest in every dimension of our students' growth; we ignite academic excellence, foster exceptional character, architect powerful career readiness and nurture whole-body well-being.

DU's quarter system allows students to easily pursue multiple majors and minors across disciplines, and with over 100 areas of study to choose from, students have a lot of opportunities to personalize their education! Small classes taught by professors who are leaders in their field and a focus on real-world experiences like internships, cutting-edge research, study abroad and service-learning help students build the foundations needed to create the kinds of lives and careers that lead to big impacts and positive changes.

Starting from their first days on campus, students establish a constellation of mentors through faculty advisors, peer mentors, strong career support from the Burwell Center for Career Achievement, and more — and this network extends beyond campus to our strong and supportive alumni base.

Students find community and belonging on campus through meaningful engagement with one of our 100+ student organizations, by participating in Fraternity and Sorority life, by running for student government, or even by starting their own club! And while DU students have a multitude of interests and passions, Denver's sunny weather is perfect for staying active: we boast 18 Division I athletic programs and over 40 club and intramural sports.

Our campus is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, just minutes from downtown Denver, and this means our students have access to both world-class mountain activities and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. DU students can explore the art, culture and food scenes of a major city, get involved in community service opportunities, attend major league sporting events, and take advantage of the stunning nature of Colorado — all while building the academic and career skills they need to design their future success.

DU is proud of our geographically diverse population of students who are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. Each incoming class of students represents over 850 high schools, meaning students have lots of opportunities to make new friends while pursuing their interests.

• Undergraduate students: 5,700+
?
• Graduate students: 6,100+
• CO residents: 30%
• Self-reported students of color: 30%
• International students: 3.5%
• First-year & transfer students in 2024 incoming class: 1,500+
• States represented in 2024 incoming class: 47
• 56% female / 44% male

DU offers "a really strong sense of community and lots of incredible academic talent." One student describes the community as the "perfect size in my opinion-small enough to see familiar faces, but large enough to meet new ones." It's a "very outdoorsy" and social environment where students "love to interact, whether that's through clubs and organizations, on-campus jobs, or just hanging out at coffee shops." Many students note that a typical student at DU "tends to be from a wealthier background than most people." The student body is "predominately white, but there are students of color and LGBTQIA+ students as well," says one student, adding that there "are also plenty of POC, WOC, and LGBT groups, resources, and support on campus." Another student adds, "I feel free to be myself and express myself here, which I wouldn't at other schools." Peers tend to be "driven academically" and "committed, engaged, and caring." It's a place with students who are "all very opinionated and fight for a lot of things, which is nice to see," says one student. Another adds that the students share a "dedication to environmental initiatives, and social justice in general."

Students enjoy "the natural beauty surrounding our campus" and swear by the location's scenery. Skiing and snowboarding are popular activities during the winter, and the Kennedy Mountain Campus "allows students to spend time hiking and rock climbing during the weekends." Beyond outdoor recreation, a wide array of extracurriculars reflect the varied interests of the student body, including the student newspaper and the undergraduate research journal as well as organizations like the Society of Physics Students and Divest DU, a "student organization dedicated to pushing the board to divest from fossil fuels." For a lot of students, athletics is a big part of daily life, whether it's playing sports or attending events. "Rugby is super popular and club sports are huge." And, as one student emphatically responds, "Don't forget our love of hockey!" Greek life is also popular, but students say, "it definitely does not dominate social life." As one student explains, "Everyone has their own interests, and they can usually find someone else who shares it with them, so community is built around that. We are all unique!"

By and large, undergrads at University of Denver are confident in their post-graduation job prospects (The school reports that 90 percent of alumni have jobs and/or are enrolled in graduate school six months following graduation .) And many students happily report that there are “countless opportunities for internships.” This sunny outlook can certainly be attributed to the tireless efforts of DU’s career services office. For starters, the office hosts multiple fairs throughout the academic year, including an innovative reverse career fair where students set up tables and employers circulate the room to share their job opportunities. Moreover, the office recently launched AlumniFire, which helps current students connect with Denver alums. And many students love to take advantage of the Career Center’s drop-in program which allows them to swing by the office and quickly meet with a career advisor.