Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Denver, Colorado
77.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
77.8%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1119Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$23,369Annual Cost
$64,270Grad Salary
25.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
77.8%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1119
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
980–1220
ACT Middle 50%
21–27
Avg Net Price
$19,133
Need-Based Aid
25.8% receive Pell
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a comprehensive public research university known for its integration of academic excellence, innovation, and healthcare leadership. With a campus that serves as a hub for both downtown urban education and world-class medical research, the university offers a dynamic environment that fosters critical inquiry, professional success, and community impact. Its focus on providing a high-value, research-intensive education makes it a premier choice for students aiming to achieve their professional potential.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 77.8% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 77.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of January 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 144 days left — Spring 2027
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UCD reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Spring 2027
January 1
Fall
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UCD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UCD is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.66–3.86.UCD GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay or letter of recommendation required for general first-year admission; test-optional with self-reported scores accepted.
- Designated both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American/Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
- College of Arts & Media has separate tracks: MEIS auditions, a Film & TV secondary application, and post-enrollment portfolio reviews for some Visual Arts majors.
- Music auditions submitted via the CU Denver application portal or GetAcceptd (Acceptd carries a $30 submission fee).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UCD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UCD is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UCD Without SAT or ACT?
UCD considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Average SAT Score: 1119
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 1119 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1119 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 980, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UCD. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1119 | 980 | 1220 |
Below 980, you're behind most admitted students; at 1220 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of UCD's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UCD is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UCD's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UCD.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UCD
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UCD isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know that general admission is stats-driven, not essay-driven
For most first-year applicants, CU Denver requires no personal essay and no letter of recommendation - decisions lean on transcript and self-reported test scores. Put your energy into a clean transcript narrative, not essay polish.
Audition-track music majors: treat this as a second application
Music & Entertainment Industry Studies audition-track programs need a separate audition video submitted through the CU Denver portal or GetAcceptd (Acceptd charges a $30 fee) during a set window - general admission alone won't place you in an audition track.
Film & Television needs its own secondary app
Being admitted to CU Denver doesn't get you into Film & TV. There's a required secondary departmental application - find its deadline early and don't assume your university acceptance covers it.
Illustration and some Visual Arts majors: build your portfolio during year one
These portfolio reviews happen after you've completed initial coursework at CU Denver, not at admission. Treat your first-year studio classes as portfolio-building - save and refine every piece from day one.
Expert Insight:
Students often assume "admitted to CU Denver" means admitted to their target College of Arts & Media program - then miss the audition, secondary application, or later portfolio-review steps and lose a semester of progress toward their actual major.
UCD Profile
Full Name
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD)
City
Denver
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
80217-3364
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a UCD Degree Worth It?
UCD offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $74,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.81%.
How much does a degree from UCD Cost?
The sticker price is $23,369/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $19,133.
25.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 25.2% take federal loans at UCD. File your FAFSA early and list UCD as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UCD Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $64,270. That's about 58% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at UCD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UCD Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus run about $64,270 a year.
At about $23,369 a year, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is on the more affordable end.
About 25.8% receive a Pell Grant at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 77.8%, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus average a 3.46 GPA.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.16 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.06, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus — aim above 1119, ideally within the 980–1220 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is January 1 for Spring 2027 applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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