University of Denver Ranks Among the Country’s Top Colleges

The University of Denver is once again ranked among the country’s top 100 colleges by U.S. News & World Report. Today, the publication released its 2022 list of the nation’s Best Colleges, with DU ranking 93rd out of about 400 national universities. DU is one of only three schools in Colorado to make the top 100.

U.S. News & World Report uses six categories for determining rankings: outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence and alumni giving. For this year’s rankings, U.S. News assessed 1,466 U.S. bachelor’s degree-granting institutions.

The University of Denver’s overall score was a 62, down only one point from last year. The University’s peer assessment score remained unchanged at 3.1

“For more than 25 years the University of Denver has been ranked as one of the top 100 colleges in the country. This is owed to our faculty’s incredible dedication to their research and teaching,” says DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “What’s more, through our continued efforts to provide our students with a holistic education — expanding learning and growth opportunities both in and outside the classroom — the University of Denver is poised to rise in these rankings and, most importantly, serve as model for the future of education.”

In addition to the overall rankings, the University of Denver placed in the top 100 in several other categories. DU ranks 53rd in the category of Best Colleges for Veterans. A university qualifies for this list if it has enrolled a minimum of 20 veterans and active service members for four consecutive years, is certified for the GI Bill and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Universities participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program make additional funds available for veterans attending an out-of-state or private institution.

The University of Denver ranks 63rd among Best Value Schools. This category takes into consideration a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average need-based scholarship or grant. At DU, 42% of students receive need-based aid.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Daniels College of Business 84th on the list of Best Undergraduate Business Programs, up 13 spots from last year. This ranking is based on program accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; the results are based solely on surveys of business school deans and senior faculty.

Overall rankings are based on several factors, with 40% of a school’s performance determined by its “outcomes” score, which considers, among other categories, success in retaining and graduating students in six years. Faculty resources comprise 20% of the overall ranking. This category considers class size, faculty salary, faculty with the highest degree in their fields and proportion of faculty who are full time. The category of expert opinion, which also counts for 20% of the ranking, is determined in part by the peer assessment score.

The financial resources offered by a university accounts for 10% of the overall ranking. This factors the average spending per student on instruction, research, student services and related education expenditures. DU’s rank in this area rose two spots over last year to No. 74. Additionally, DU improved 12 spots in the area of student excellence, which accounts for high school class standings and standardized tests of incoming students.

To see the complete rankings by U.S. News & World Report please click here.