For the Difference We Can Make Together
5,280 feet is only the beginning
Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, and now with the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus adjacent to the Roosevelt National Forest, we embody the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region. The University of Denver is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators and students, as well as local and global communities. This spirit of innovation paired with our signature 4D Experience and a core commitment to making a real difference in communities around the world leads to our recognized status as a Very High Research University (or "R1") by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st century education and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower them to make a difference around the world.
A Bold Approach to Higher Education
We deliver a rigorous and rewarding experience—the 4D Experience— for our students through a holistic approach to education that transforms students into leaders. Through learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations. We're proud to offer these high-impact experiences to our students as part of their University journey:
- Community involvement through service and civic responsibility
- Wilderness, wellness and team-building experiences at our Kennedy Mountain Campus just two hours north of Denver
- A robust study abroad program through which students develop global perspectives
- Extensive opportunities for research starting at the undergraduate level
- Career achievement through internships and job placement support provided by our Burwell Center for Career Achievement
In the classroom, students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels work closely with faculty mentors to shape academic pathways that lead to intellectual fulfillment and career achievement. We're a mid-sized University of about 12,000 graduates and undergraduates with average class sizes under 21 students and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Individual attention combined with big-city connections provide a wealth of professional opportunities for students, the majority of whom choose to stay in Denver after graduation.
By facilitating research, community involvement and global exploration, we're building a foundation for lifelong achievement, empowering our students to live lives of purpose for the difference.
Ranked #80 Among National Universities U.S. News & World Report, 2021
Top 5 Ranked in the top five in the nation for study abroad participation Around 70 percent of undergraduate students study abroad for at least one academic term
Ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a high-volume research institution $25 million in total research funding
Local Involvement
Partnering with businesses, our local community and a range of educational partners, we tackle the grand challenges of the Rocky Mountain West and work together to strengthen our region and provide opportunities for the people who call it home. Our students, faculty and community partners work to solve problems throughout Colorado and beyond, addressing such challenges as homelessness, healthy aging and sustainability. Engagement through research and service allows us to stay involved at home and around the world. Plus, we've dedicated ourselves to being a resource for our neighbors by hosting education and arts events for local high school students and others in the Denver area, expanding our reach beyond our campus.
Global Reach
Our intellectual curiosity leads to solutions that benefit people around the world, and our campus is enriched by the diverse perspectives of students from more than 80 countries. Around 70 percent of our undergraduate students participate in study abroad programs during their time here, taking advantage of the opportunity to advance peace, justice and understanding worldwide. With one of the world’s top schools for international relations, student and faculty research spans the continents, and a network of nearly 140,000 alumni supports students and graduates globally.
