First Destinations
At University of Denver, your degree can take you anywhere. Our annual First Destinations outcomes report highlights the first step on our students' paths after graduation. Every year we report on data such as average salaries and top employment industries that not only highlight our graduates' success, but illustrate how DU's 4D Experience can truly lead to a career—and life—of purpose.
To dive deeper into the data and filter by degree level or college, take a look at our comprehensive interactive dashboard.
Careers and lives of purpose.
Here’s where our 2021, 2022 and 2023 grads were six months after finishing their time at the University of Denver:
91% of graduates were either employed, continuing their education or in military-related service.
View employment outcomes by college and degree level.
No limits to where you can go.
At DU, our graduates are primed for careers across a wide range of industries and companies. In fact, over 1,000 unique employers hired our bachelor's graduates.
Top 5 employing industries for DU graduates
Undergrads
From Deloitte and KPMG to the Walt Disney Company and Comcast, over 1000 unique employers hired undergraduates from the last three years.
DU undergraduates reported the highest levels of employment in technology; education; hospitality and tourism; and real estate and construction, followed by financial services; health and human services; healthcare products and services; and accounting.
Undergrads who decided to continue their education went into fields of study including finance, law, business analytics, accounting and more.
Master’s students
Master’s students from the last three years reported being employed by more than 3000 unique organizations six months after graduating from DU. From top employer the Walt Disney Company to Lockheed Martin, Denver Public Schools, the Colorado Department of Public Health and even the University of Denver itself, our master’s graduates are going far and wide to seek—and win—engaging, fulfilling employment.
Master’s students reported the highest levels of employment in health and human services or social work; education; and media and entertainment, followed by healthcare products and services; technology; government; and financial services.
Master’s students who decided to continue their education went into fields of study including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, psychology, music, law and more.
Doctoral students
Our doctoral students love DU—so much so that the University of Denver is the top reported employer for doctoral graduates’ first position upon graduation. Other post-grad employers for doctoral students include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Wells Fargo, Google and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
View top employers and industries by college and degree level.
There's no place like CO.
While roughly 71% of our undergraduate students come to DU from out of state, 69.9% of our alumni stay in Colorado after graduation.
The data is clear: our students love it here. It's no wonder Denver was recently ranked the #2 best city for new college graduates.
Outside of Colorado, the top 5 cities students go after graduation are:
1. Anaheim, CA
2. Atlanta, GA
3. Austin, TX
4. Boston, MA
5. Chicago, IL
View the full list of cities by college and degree level.
Post-grad compensation
With inflation a topic of national conversation and rising cost of living top of mind for many, we're proud that our graduates' post-grad income has been rising as well.
In 2023, income for students with a bachelors degree from DU was $9,265 higher than students with an undergraduate degree from comparable 4-year institutions.*
Master's student earnings have increased steadily over the past 3 years, rising from $71,759 in 2021 to over $80,000 in 2023.
Doctoral graduates saw the most significant increase in earnings, with an average salary over $20,000 higher than the previous year.
View post-grad compensation by college and degree level.
Post-grad compensation
With inflation a topic of national conversation and rising cost of living top of mind for many, we're proud that our graduates' post-grad income has been rising as well.
In 2023, income for students with a bachelors degree from DU was $9,265 higher than students with a degree from comparable 4-year institutions.*
Master's student earnings have increased steadily over the past 3 years, rising from $71,759 in 2021 to over $80,000 in 2023.
Doctoral graduates saw the most significant increase in earnings, with an average salary over $20,000 higher than the previous year.
View post-grad compensation by college and degree level.
Preparation and satisfaction are key.
Being well prepared for a future career through a degree program and securing a satisfying job are important indicators of our success in supporting students who pursue careers and lives of purpose through the 4D Experience.
We encourage students to think critically about how their professional lives intertwine with their general well-being, intellectual growth and character, and we've found a direct correlation with student satisfaction after graduation.
View detailed satisfaction ratings by college and degree level.
Preparation and satisfaction are key.
Being well prepared for a future career through a degree program and securing a satisfying job are important indicators of our success in supporting students who pursue careers and lives of purpose through the 4D Experience.
We encourage students to think critically about how their professional lives intertwine with their general well-being, intellectual growth and character, and we've found a direct correlation with student satisfaction after graduation.
View detailed satisfaction ratings by college and degree level.
Internships make all the difference.
DU offers students many avenues to begin seeking professional experience while still in school. Our Career and Professional Development (CPD) team helps to simplify the job and internship search for both current students and alumni, ensuring our DU community members have everything they need for professional success.
View internship participation and career services engagement data by college and degree level.
80.3%
percentage of all students who participate in an internship
Each and every year for the past six years, undergraduates who took advantage of internships were more likely to report being employed after six months—and their starting salaries were $5,900 higher. And with more than 80% of DU graduates from the last three years reporting that they participated in an internship by graduation, it’s clear that gaining professional experience while enrolled in classes puts our students head and shoulders above the rest.
79.8%
percentage of master's students who participate in an internship
DU boasts high internship participation rates for students at the master’s level as well—79.8% of DU master’s graduates since 2021 participated in at least one internship during their time at DU.
94.4%
percentage of undergraduate students who engaged with career services
A whopping 94.4% of the undergraduate classes from the last three years reported having engaged with career development services at least once during their time at DU—a bold demonstration of the level of career support provided at DU which is significantly above the national average.
67.4%
percentage of master's students who engaged with career services
Similarly, many master’s students take advantage of the services offered by CPD in addition to the support they receive from their academic programs; 67.4% of graduate students reported engaging with career development services while in school.
DU's Impact in Action
Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club
Intern Spotlight: Andrea Hernandez-Perez
SAME Cafe
Faculty Career Champions 2023
Preparing students for careers and lives of purpose is essential to the DU 4D Experience. Learn more about Career and Professional Development and the 4D Experience.
View all individual class year reports.
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