The University of Denver is a private nonprofit research university in Denver, Colorado, founded in 1864 as Colorado Seminary. Established only a few years after the founding of the city itself, the institution developed alongside Denver and the wider Rocky Mountain region. It later adopted the University of Denver name and grew into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional education. DU combines an urban main campus with access to the economic, cultural and outdoor resources of Colorado, and it also operates the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, which supports leadership, wellness and experiential learning in a mountain setting. DU’s academic portfolio spans arts, humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, computer science, natural sciences, education, international studies, social work, psychology, communication, music and professional fields. Undergraduate students can pursue traditional majors as well as interdisciplinary study and dual-degree options. Graduate education is particularly extensive, with more than 200 graduate degree and certificate programs across 10 schools and colleges. Professional and advanced study includes programs in law, business, international studies, social work, education and psychology, alongside research doctorates in multiple disciplines. The institution emphasizes the 4D Experience, a student-development framework focused on intellectual growth, character, well-being and lives and careers of purpose. Research at DU covers areas such as psychology, social policy, international affairs, environmental issues, business, data, engineering, education, law and health-related fields. The university reached R1 research classification in the early 2020s, reflecting growth in doctoral education and research activity. Undergraduate students can participate in faculty research, community-based learning, internships, study abroad, entrepreneurship and project-based experiences. Denver itself functions as an extension of the classroom, giving students access to government, nonprofits, technology companies, health systems, finance, energy, arts and professional services. Undergraduate admission is holistic and test optional. DU does not set a universal minimum GPA for first-year admission and reviews applicants in the context of their academic record, course rigor, writing and experiences. The university recommends a strong college-preparatory curriculum, including multiple years of English, mathematics, science, social studies and world language. Applicants who choose test-optional review are not disadvantaged in admission or merit-scholarship consideration. For 2026-27, traditional undergraduate tuition is $1,770 per credit, with a flat quarterly rate of $21,240 for students enrolled in 12 to 18 credits. The published annual tuition for three standard quarters is $63,720, and the on-campus cost-of-attendance example is $87,581. Financial aid includes need-based grants and substantial merit scholarships. First-year merit awards range from $15,000 to $40,000 per year, and students receiving a merit scholarship who live on campus may also qualify for a $3,000 Residence Hall Grant. Career and Professional Development reports that 89% of graduates were employed, continuing education or in military-related service within six months, and more than 78% of bachelor’s graduates from recent classes completed at least one internship. DU therefore combines a private-university academic environment with strong urban experiential learning, mountain-campus programming and a broad graduate and professional presence.