Your total cost to attend CU Denver includes more than your tuition & fees - you will also need to consider your housing, food, travel, health insurance, textbooks, etc. Before you can apply for your US student visa, you must prove to CU Denver that you have the necessary funding to support your first year of study. 

Estimated Cost of Attendance Figures for 2021-2022

The cost estimates below are for Academic Year 2021-2022. Please note that actual costs will likely increase for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. Please note that your individual cost of attendance will vary. Estimated costs are subject to change. Taking more credit hours may increase the cost of the program. Students should add $6,750 per year for each dependent family member (spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21) who will accompany them to the United States.

*** For cost estimates for Anschutz Medical Campus programs please contact isss@ucdenver.edu

University of Colorado Denver - Downtown Campus Programs

Note: Estimated Costs are for a 9-month period and based on 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates.

 School/College/Program  Tuition & Fees  Living Expenses  Books & Insurance  Total/Year
 Business School $28,700 $15,247  $4,120 $48,067
College of Architecture and Planning $27,823 $15,247 $4,120 $47,190
College of Arts & Media $27,881 $15,247 $4,120 $47,248
College of Arts & Media (Digital Animation) $30,017 $15,247 $4,120 $49,348
College of Engineering, Design and Computing  $29,379 $15,247 $4,120 $48,748
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  $27,430 $15,247 $4,120 $46,797
School of Education & Human Development $27,271 $15,247 $4,120 $46,638
School of Public Affairs $27,442 $15,247 $4,120 $46,809

International Undergraduate Scholarships

The University of Colorado Denver offers a wide variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities for international undergraduate students. We are committed to supporting your long-term academic and personal success at CU Denver, including your financial well-being.

International Admissions offer automatic merit-based scholarships and additional funding through donor awards and need-based grants. Additionally, students can apply for program-specific and external scholarships. Scholarships can be combined with employment opportunities and other financial resources to contribute to your cost of attendance.

Scholarship OptionApplication Requirement

Award Amount

or Range

Criteria

Application Status
Aid Year: Fall 2022 - Summer 2023
Automatic Merit Scholarship
No$2,500 - $10,000
per academic year
GPAOPEN
Additional Merit Scholarship 

Apply Now

 		Up to $5,000
per academic year		GPA and scholarship applicationCLOSED
The application for the 2023 application cycle will be available on August 1, 2022. 
Need-Based Grants

Apply Now

 		Up to $10,000
per academic year		Financial need and scholarship applicationCLOSED
The application for the 2023 application cycle will be available on August 1, 2022. 
ESL Academy Graduate ScholarshipNo$1,000 - $5,000
per academic year		Completion of 1 to 5 levels of the ESL Academy before AdmissionOPEN
Program-Specific Scholarships

Apply Now

 		$500 - $2,500VariesVARIES
External Scholarships

Apply Now

 		VariesVariesVARIES

 

* Students in partnership programs are not eligible for these scholarships as they are based on the Downtown Denver campus international student tuition rate. 

Scholarship Application Procedures & Timeline

Automatic Merit Scholarships

  • Scholarships are awarded automatically based on GPA. International Admissions will convert international GPA's to the US 4.0 scale during the admission review
  • Students will be notified of the scholarship award in their admission letter
  • Please follow regular application deadlines
  • Open to non-resident, non-sponsored freshman and transfer students
  • Scholarships are renewable for 4 years (freshmen) or 2 years (transfer)

GPA Range and Award Amounts

GPA Range Annual Award
2.85 - 2.99 $2,500.00
3.00 - 3.49
 $5,000.00
3.50 - 3.74
 $7,500.00
3.75+ $10,000.00

* Awards of varying amounts are available other residency types. Please contact International Admissions with any questions about your residency type.

Additional Merit Scholarships & Need-Based Grants

  • Application required: The CU Denver Combined Financial Aid Application for International Undergraduate Students will be available September 1st
  • Priority Consideration Begins:
    • Spring Semester: Oct 1st of previous year
    • Fall Semester: March 1st of current year
  • Applications will be reviewed monthly following the priority consideration date, until the start of the semester
  • Awards and grants are limited - apply early for the best chances!
  • Open to non-resident, non-sponsored freshman and transfer Students

Students who successfully complete level 5 at CU Denver’s ESL Academy and continue with CU Denver for their undergraduate degree studies are guaranteed a scholarship of $1,000 per year, for each level completed at the ESL Academy.

ESL Levels CompletedLevel Entered into ESL AcademyAnnual Award Amount
One LevelLevel 5$1,000
Two LevelsLevel 4$2,000
Three LevelsLevel 3$3,000
Four LevelsLevel 2$4,000
Five LevelsLevel 1$5,000

Note: Students who complete the LynxDirect Pathway Program are eligible for the ESL Academy Graduate scholarship. The non-degree portion of LynxDirect counts as one additional level of ESL study for the purposes of determining the scholarship amount. The scholarship will start in the first term of degree-seeking study (after completing LynxDirect).  

Program-Specific & External Scholarships

CU Denver Scholarships
External Scholarships

Student Finances Office (Undergraduate Tuition & Fees)