


The University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole, rather than serving as an approval of every individual degree for a particular occupation.
Professional programs may also have specialized accreditation relevant to their fields. Applicants considering nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, education, or another licensed profession should check the current accreditation and state-licensure disclosures for the specific program and degree they intend to enter. Institutional accreditation is important for eligibility to participate in federal student-aid programs, but it does not guarantee that another college will accept a course in transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.
First-year applicants generally apply to CU Denver with a secondary-school record showing high school completion or an equivalent credential. The university is not open admission: it reviews applicants' academic preparation, and individual majors may have additional requirements.
The reported first-year admissions criteria require a high school transcript and GPA. SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted but are not required under the reported policy; recommendations and class rank are not general requirements. Applicants whose education was completed in another language may need to demonstrate English proficiency, including through an accepted test or another qualifying method under the university's current policy. International, graduate, and professional-school applicants should follow the requirements for their own applicant category.
For context, approximately 75% of first-time applicants in the reported admissions cycle were admitted. Among enrolled students who submitted scores, the median SAT composite was 1140; because testing was optional, that figure does not describe the entire incoming class or establish a minimum score. Applicants should confirm their intended term's deadline and any portfolio, prerequisite, or supplemental requirements with the relevant admissions office or program.
The reported standard application fee is $50. Applicants should check the current application for the amount that applies to their degree level, residency, and application route before submitting payment.
Students who cannot afford a fee may be eligible for a waiver through an accepted financial-need or admissions process. A waiver should be requested using the application's instructions or through admissions before paying; paying a fee and later asking for reimbursement is not the same process. Graduate and professional programs can use different applications and fee rules, so the undergraduate amount should not be assumed to apply at CU Anschutz.
Army and Air Force ROTC are reported as available to eligible CU Denver students through cooperating host institutions, rather than as CU Denver-operated branch units. Participation can require travel to another campus for classes, leadership activities, or training.
ROTC is a potential route to officer training, not simply an extracurricular club. Scholarship applications, medical and citizenship eligibility, course enrollment, and eventual service commitments depend on the branch and a student's circumstances. Prospective cadets should confirm the current cross-enrollment host, weekly schedule, and scholarship rules with the Army or Air Force ROTC unit before building an academic plan around participation.
CU Denver accepts applications from transfer students and generally considers credit earned at accredited colleges. Transfer admission and the acceptance of individual courses toward a chosen degree are separate decisions.
Transfer applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended. Depending on the amount of college coursework completed and the program, a high school record or additional materials may also be requested. The university reports transfer entry for fall, spring, and summer terms, but deadlines and available starts can vary by major. Applicants should check the current minimum GPA and prerequisite rules for their intended program rather than assume that a university-wide admission decision settles those requirements.
Colorado community-college students can use applicable statewide transfer agreements and course-equivalency resources to plan ahead. CU Denver also reports consideration of certain examination and recommended-credit pathways, including CLEP and DSST. Before enrolling, a transfer student should seek an official credit evaluation showing not just how many credits transfer, but which general-education, major, and graduation requirements they satisfy.
CU Denver students can explore international study through university-supported study-abroad advising and approved programs. Options may include short-term, faculty-led experiences and longer programs offered with partner institutions or outside providers; availability depends on the term and academic field.
Approval matters before departure. A student should establish how courses will count toward a degree, whether a program fits major sequencing, and what tuition, travel, insurance, and living costs apply. Financial aid does not automatically cover every international expense or every third-party program. Students in tightly sequenced majors or clinical programs should discuss timing with an academic adviser early.
13% of admitted students enrolled (1,458 of 11,151)
Application fee
$50Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1140Median composite ACT score
25Percent of students submitting ACT scores
2%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
38%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Neither required nor recommendedSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.