University of Colorado Denver

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is the ultimate choice for students who want a "city-as-your-campus" lifestyle, sitting right in the heart of downtown with direct links to the state’s biggest business and healthcare hubs. It’s a top-tier research school that feels surprisingly personal, with small class sizes and a massive focus on social mobility for first-gen students and working professionals. You’ll find some of the best programs in the country here for Architecture, Digital Media, and Business, all designed to get you into a high-paying career as soon as you grab your diploma. However, because the campus is shared with two other schools and lacks a "classic" college town layout, it can be really easy to feel like just another face in the crowd or a commuter stuck in traffic. It’s a place for the independent, career-focused student, but you should definitely ask a current student how they actually find their "inner circle" and manage the high cost of downtown parking.