University of Denver (DU)

The University of Denver (DU) is a private university dedicated to the public good. We are a medium-sized institution, located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver and one hour from the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Our unique Four-Dimensional Experience represents our commitment to every student's holistic development and provides DU 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 Four-Dimensional Experience means we invest in every dimension of our students' personal and professional growth; we ignite academic excellence, foster exceptional character, architect powerful career readiness and nurture whole-body well-being.

Small classes taught by professors who are leaders in their field, a focus on experiential learning, top-ranked study abroad programs?and a strong and supportive alumni base help?our 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, strong career support from the Burwell Center for Career Achievement, 4D peer mentors, and additional programming such as our Pioneer Leadership Program, our Learning Effectiveness Program for neurodiverse learners, and FIRST@DU programs for first-generation and minority students.

As one of the smallest private R1 institutions, students have access to impactful research opportunities and a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. 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 opportunity to personalize their education! We boast over 100 student organizations, 18 Division I athletic programs (including our ten-time national championship men's hockey team!), as well as 30 club and 20 intramural sports. Off campus, students have access to both word-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 skills and competencies they need to design their future success.

With the creation of the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, DU integrates both a city and a mountain campus to support student growth in multiple dimensions. Located just two hours north of DU's Denver campus and over 700 acres large, the mountain campus provides a contemplative wilderness setting where all community members can retreat from the city to enjoy meaningful programming.

DU boasts over 100 student-run organizations and several long-standing campus traditions, such as our Hockey Campout and May Days. From backpacking to board games, science to spirituality, finance to Fraternities & Sororities, club sports, arts, honor societies and so much more, there's an amazing array of opportunities to get involved.

We also have 18 Division I athletic programs, and students love to cheer on our ten-time national championship men's hockey team. Students can also participate in 30 club and 20 intramural sports.

The Cultural Center provides identity-based student programming, annual cultural signature events, and leadership opportunities and support for students of color as well as gender diverse students. We do this through campus-wide partnerships, student-led initiatives, and being a central place to help students envision what their student experience should be like.

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.