University of Denver Highlighted in 2023 Rankings From The Princeton Review

The University of Denver is recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the best universities in the country in its annual Best 388 Colleges list. This is the 31st edition of the rankings, and results are based on surveys completed by more than 160,000 students from the 388 schools involved. The surveys are conducted independently by The Princeton Review.

The University of Denver received an 86 rating for “Academics,” an increase of three points over last year. This category takes into consideration class size, student-teacher ratio, students’ assessments of their professors and how many hours students study outside of the classroom.

DU students recognized the excellent faculty teaching them in the classroom. The University received a 91 rating for “interesting professors” and a 94 for “professor accessibility.” Students noted, “The ‘lively, passionate’ professors teach with hands-on, real-life examples that ‘prompt students to critically think and apply what is learned in the classroom to our future careers and life.’” Another student commented, “If you try hard, they will engage with you and truly become your friends.”

Outside of the classroom, DU students enjoy everything the campus, the surrounding city and the Rocky Mountain region have to offer. The University of Denver received a score of 91 in the “Quality of Life” rating. This category measures students’ assessments of their overall happiness; the beauty, safety, and location of the campus; the comfort of dorms; and the quality of the school’s relationship with the local community. Ninety-four percent of first-year students live on campus as well as 50% of the undergraduate student population. The Princeton Review stated, “The residential living communities and programs get high marks.” A student responded by saying, “Everyone is so active and there is so much going on that you almost feel bad if you’re not doing anything.”

The University received a 92 “Green” rating for sustainability. This category looks at whether students have a healthy and sustainable quality of life, how well a school is preparing students for employment in the clean-energy economy and how environmentally responsible a school’s policies are.

“The University of Denver has established the bold goal of becoming a carbon neutral institution by 2030. It is our commitment to making a difference in the community in which we live,” says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “The climate crisis is a global issue that impacts us all, but most especially our students whose futures will be shaped by the choices we make today.”

The Princeton Review also ranks colleges for their selectivity around admissions and financial aid support. The University of Denver received a 77 rating for “Admissions Selectivity.” This rating takes into consideration class rank, standardized test scores, high school GPA and the percentage of students coming from out-of-state. In terms of financial aid, DU received a score of 88. This rating is based on school-reported data on the percentage of students who were determined to have need and received aid, the percentage of need met for those students and the percentage of students whose need was fully met.

DU received an 85 rating for “Return on Investment,” which takes into consideration starting and mid-career salaries, and the academic and financial aid ratings. The survey data and high ratings also resulted in DU’s inclusion on the list of the top “Best Value Colleges.”

Based on student responses, The Princeton Review also creates various top 25 lists to highlight the different ways in which schools stand out. The University of Denver ranked No. 1 in the country for “Best College Library.” Additionally, DU made top 25 lists in six other categories:

• #13 for College City Gets High Marks: Students were asked, “How do you rate the city or town where your school is located?”
• #19 for Best Athletic Facilities: Students were asked, “How do you rate the recreational/athletic facilities at your school?”
• #19 for Green Matters: Students answered questions on how they would rate administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts.
• #22 for Most Beautiful Campus: Students were asked, “How do you rate the beauty of your campus?”
• #22 for Best Health Services: Students were asked, “How do you rate your school’s campus health services.”
• #24 for Their Students Love These Colleges: Students were asked if they agree or disagree with the statement, “I am satisfied with my school.”

To review the complete rankings by The Princeton Review, please click here.