University of Denver — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Denver charges a net price of $36,131/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $144,524. Graduates earn a median $71,155 ten years after entry, $22,795/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.3 years — a 20-year net return of $311,376, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Denver's 6.3-year payback ranks #555 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 57% of them, and #8 of 50 in Colorado.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $36,131/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $144,524 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,155 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $22,795/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,844 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $311,376 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Denver's own numbers. Net price $36,131 × 4 years = $144,524 total. Median earnings $71,155 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $22,795 a year of premium. $144,524 ÷ $22,795 = 6.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $311,376. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Denver students graduate with?
A median $21,844 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $71,155 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Denver students graduate?
76% finish their degree. Spread the $144,524 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $190,163 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Denver expensive compared with other Colorado colleges?
Its $36,131 net price runs $19,664 above the $16,468 median across the 50 Colorado colleges we profile, or $78,654 more across the full degree.