At $36,037/yr net price, University of Denver graduates earn $71,155/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,155/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,037 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $144,148 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,155/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,155/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 78.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,844 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,820/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,648/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,981/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,753/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,428/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $86,129 | $66,687 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $84,653 | |
| Real Estate. | Master | $83,546 | $56,614 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Certificate | $75,204 | $38,194 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $21,053 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $73,949 | $46,680 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $72,667 | $30,504 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $21,500 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $69,338 | $168,425 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Master | $68,379 | $41,000 |
The Risk Factor
78.0% of students at University of Denver graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 22% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Denver gives you a solid financial return, but the payoff depends heavily on your major. At $36,037 a year, DU carries a private-school price tag, and your median debt of $21,844 stays below what many private schools leave you with. A 78% grad rate and 88% retention mean most people who start here finish, which matters because dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome.
Your major decides whether the math works. Computer Science and Management Sciences graduates clear the school's median earnings, and CS pays off best while carrying debt in line with everyone else. Mechanical Engineering pays well too, but you take on more debt to get there, so weigh that gap. Finance holds up and comes with the lowest debt of the top programs. Marketing is the weak spot: it earns roughly $25,000 a year less than CS while costing about the same to complete, so the return on that degree is thin.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $21,000 a year, close to what CS graduates make in a few months of work. That jumps to about $29,000 in the $48-75k band and hits $46,428 if your family earns over $110k, above the sticker price. Full-pay families should think hard about whether a marketing or general business path here justifies nearly $186,000 over four years.
DU fits you if you're aiming at computer science, quantitative business, engineering, or finance and can land in a lower net-price tier. If you're paying full freight for a lower-earning major, the numbers get harder to justify, and you should compare against cheaper in-state options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Denver worth the cost?
University of Denver graduates earn a median of $71,155 ten years after graduation, which provides decent returns given the $36,037 annual net price. However, some programs like business and real estate significantly outperform this average, while others may not justify the cost.
What University of Denver programs have the best ROI?
Business and commerce graduates earn $86,129 annually, while curriculum and instruction majors make $84,653, making these the strongest financial bets. Computer science and general computer information sciences lag behind at around $75,000, which is disappointing for tech fields.
How much debt do University of Denver students typically graduate with?
The median debt load is $21,844, which is manageable compared to the earning potential of top programs. Students in lower-paying majors may struggle more with this debt burden relative to their post-graduation salaries.
Does University of Denver provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $36,037 after aid, University of Denver brings costs down from its full sticker price but still requires significant financial commitment. The 77% acceptance rate means aid may be less generous than at more selective schools.