Education Note: University of Denver (DU)
Institution
The University of Denver (DU) is a private research university founded in 1864 located in Denver, Colorado. DU enrolls approximately 12,000 students (6,000 undergraduate, 6,000 graduate) and maintains a strong focus on professional programs including business, law, and international studies. The university's urban location and $850M endowment enable significant investment in research and student support services. DU's selective admission standards, with a 63% acceptance rate, attract academically strong students with an average incoming GPA of 3.7. The institution maintains a 11:1 student-faculty ratio and emphasizes experiential learning through required internships and study abroad programs. Research activities span multiple disciplines with particular strength in social sciences, environmental sustainability, and business analytics. The university's commitment to sustainability and social impact is evidenced by significant investments in green infrastructure and community engagement programs.
Risk Score
Risk Score Calculation and Discussion: Risk Score = (Annual Debt: $30,954 / Expected Salary: $82,400) × (1 - Graduation Rate: 78%) = 0.38 × 0.22 = 0.08
This remarkably low risk score of 0.08 places DU among the safest educational investments nationally. The university's strong expected salary of $82,400 significantly outweighs the annual debt load of $30,954, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio of 0.38. The high graduation rate of 78% indicates strong student support and academic program effectiveness. Additional risk-mitigating factors include diverse revenue streams from graduate programs and research activities. The university's endowment provides financial stability and enables consistent investment in academic programs and facilities. Career placement rates exceeding 85% within six months of graduation further validate the risk assessment. The institution's location in Denver's growing economy provides abundant internship and employment opportunities. The diverse program portfolio reduces dependency on any single academic area or industry sector.
Strengths
The University of Denver demonstrates exceptional strength in professional education, particularly in business, law, and international studies programs. The institution's location in a major metropolitan area provides extensive opportunities for internships and industry partnerships. Strong financial resources, including an $850M endowment, enable consistent investment in facilities and programs. The university's commitment to experiential learning is evidenced by required internships and one of the highest study abroad participation rates nationally. Research activities generate significant external funding and enhance institutional reputation in key areas. Career outcomes consistently exceed national averages, with strong placement rates and competitive starting salaries. The diverse program portfolio attracts a broad student demographic and reduces institutional risk. Faculty expertise and research productivity continue to strengthen the university's academic reputation.
Weaknesses
High tuition costs create accessibility challenges for many prospective students despite significant financial aid resources. The urban location and associated cost of living can present additional financial barriers for students. Limited parking and transportation infrastructure impacts campus accessibility. Some academic programs face increasing competition from lower-cost online alternatives. The university's size limits economies of scale compared to larger institutions. Student housing capacity constraints affect recruitment and retention efforts. Athletic programs struggle to achieve national prominence in key sports. Geographic concentration in the Denver market could limit growth opportunities.
Bottom Line
The University of Denver's remarkably low risk score of 0.08 reflects strong student outcomes and institutional stability. Professional program strength and urban location provide significant competitive advantages in key markets. The combination of strong graduation rates and post-graduation earnings justifies the investment in a DU education. While high costs present accessibility challenges, outcomes data supports the value proposition. The institution's financial resources and diverse program portfolio provide stability and growth potential. Strategic focus on experiential learning and professional preparation differentiates DU from competitors. Continued investment in student support services and facilities maintains competitive positioning. The university's trajectory suggests sustained strong performance in core academic and professional programs.