What is the University of Denver (du.edu)?
Updated
The University of Denver (du.edu) is a private university in Denver, Colorado, offering more than 100 undergraduate majors and programs plus 200+ master's, doctoral, and certificate programs across on-campus and online formats. It fits prospective students who want a quarter-system academic calendar, a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a location that combines a major city with mountain access. The site is built for exploring academics, applying, planning a visit, and requesting information.
Academic offerings
DU organizes its programs into three broad paths:
| Path | What it includes | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 100+ majors and programs, dual-degree options, global learning experiences | On campus, quarter system |
| Graduate | 200+ master's, doctoral, and certificate programs | Online and on campus |
| Professional studies | Bachelor's completion, master's, and certificate programs | Flexible online and evening options, built for working adults |
The quarter system is presented as a source of scheduling flexibility, and the 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio signals relatively small classes. Graduate programs are described as combining real-world learning with an extensive alumni and mentor network.
What makes DU distinctive
Three features stand out on the site:
- The 4D Experience — a framework that integrates intellectual growth, well-being, character, and careers and lives of purpose. It pairs mentors with structured reflection and experiences that span classrooms, the city of Denver, the Kennedy Mountain Campus, and study abroad.
- The Kennedy Mountain Campus — more than 720 acres near Red Feather Lakes in Colorado's high country, used for hiking, climbing, reflection, and building resilience, leadership, and community.
- Denver location — the campus sits at the edge of downtown Denver and at the base of the Rockies, which the university frames as making it easy to move from classroom to summit.
These are supported by career coaches, faculty mentors, and an alumni network, with internships, hands-on research, and study abroad described as core parts of the student experience.
Who it suits
DU is worth exploring if you want:
- A private university experience in a city with strong arts and innovation sectors, plus nearby mountains
- A quarter-system calendar and a low student-to-faculty ratio
- Access to both on-campus and online graduate or professional programs
- A structured framework (4D) that ties academics to well-being, character, and career purpose
It may be less suited if you need a fully online undergraduate degree or a traditional semester calendar — the site emphasizes on-campus undergraduate study and the quarter system.
Getting started on the site
The main actions the site supports are:
- Explore academics — browse undergraduate degrees, or see colleges and programs for graduate study.
- Apply — the application process is linked from the homepage.
- Plan a visit — campus visit information is available for prospective students.
- Request info — separate request forms exist for undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies audiences.
The site also segments its audience into future students, current students, alumni, faculty, families, and neighbors, so you can navigate directly to the section that matches your situation.
A practical note
The homepage describes programs, formats, and experiences but does not list tuition, fees, or application deadlines. If cost or timing is central to your decision, you'll need to look for those details elsewhere on du.edu or contact the relevant admissions office directly.