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University of Colorado Denver

(UCD)

Part of University of Colorado System

🇺🇸 United States / Colorado / Denver
Public Est. 1876

About

The University of Colorado Denver is a public research university located in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is part of the University of Colorado system. Established in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder, CU Denver attained university status and became an independent institution in 1973. CU Denver is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity. T...

The University of Colorado Denver is a public research university located in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is part of the University of Colorado system. Established in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder, CU Denver attained university status and became an independent institution in 1973. CU Denver is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity. The university's graduate programs award more master's degrees than any other institution in the state, serving roughly 5,000 students annually. CU Denver makes up one-third of the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, along with the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Community College of Denver.

Ranking Overview

Ranking Snapshot

Ranked Top 201 worldwide across 3 major ranking systems

ARWU #201-300 (2025)
US News #440 (2026)

Ranked in 28 subject rankings

QS QS World University Rankings
# 851-900
2027
THE Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Not Ranked
ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
# 201-300
2025
US News U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
# =440
144
54.2
2026

Key Facts

Students
24,723
Staff
12,813

Historical Trend

Longitudinal View
QS QS
ARWU ARWU
US News US News
1 101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 900 2003 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Rank
:
Score:

Top Subjects

Best-performing areas
38
Public Health
Top 50
=42
Surgery
Top 50
46
Clinical Medicine
Top 50
51-75
51-75
Public Administration
Top 100
76-100
Human Biological Sciences
Top 100
76-100
Sociology
Top 100
101-150
Dentistry
Top 200
101-150
Medical Technology
Top 200
101-150
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Top 200
151-200
Law & Legal Studies
Top 200
151-200
Education & Training
Top 200
151-200
Psychology
Top 200
=184
Medicine
Top 200
=186
Clinical Medicine
Top 200

Subject Rankings

Detailed breakdown

ARWU

19 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Public Health 38 170.2 2025
Clinical Medicine 46 187.6 2025
Nursing 51-75 - 2025
Public Administration 51-75 - 2025
Human Biological Sciences 76-100 - 2025
Sociology 76-100 - 2025
Dentistry 101-150 - 2025
Medical Technology 101-150 - 2025
Pharmacy & Pharmacology 101-150 - 2025
Law & Legal Studies 151-200 - 2022
Education & Training 151-200 - 2025
Psychology 151-200 - 2025
Biological Sciences 201-300 - 2025
Communication & Media Studies 201-300 - 2022
Politics 301-400 - 2024
Business Administration 301-400 - 2020
Earth & Marine Sciences 401-500 - 2020
Economics & Econometrics 401-500 - 2025
Management 401-500 - 2025

US News

5 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Surgery =42 54.2 2026
Clinical Medicine =186 54.2 2026
Public, Environmental and Occupational Health 284 54.2 2026
Social Sciences and Public Health 422 54.2 2026
Engineering =1,154 54.2 2026

QS

8 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Nursing 51-100 - 2023
Medicine =184 63.7 2026
Pharmacy & Pharmacology 251-300 - 2023
Agriculture & Forestry 351-400 - 2020
Education & Training 351-380 - 2023
Life Sciences & Medicine 401-450 - 2026
Environmental Sciences 401-450 - 2021
Biological Sciences 601-650 - 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ranking of University of Colorado Denver?

University of Colorado Denver's performance in the latest university rankings: QS Rank 851-900, ARWU Rank 201-300, US News Rank =440.

When was University of Colorado Denver founded?

University of Colorado Denver was founded in 1876.

What are the top subjects at University of Colorado Denver?

Top subjects at University of Colorado Denver include: Public Health, Surgery, Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Public Administration.

Where is University of Colorado Denver located?

University of Colorado Denver is located in Denver, United States.