The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) boasts top statewide recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, with nine graduate programs ranked No. 1 in Colorado. An additional 14 programs placed among the top 75 nationally within their disciplines.
Colorado Impact
The strongest showing came from the School of Public Affairs, with six of the top-ranked Colorado programs, and the Business School placed three programs at No. 1 statewide.
Several programs in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing and the School of Education and Human Development also improved or held their position in national rankings, illustrating how competitive CU Denver is with peer institutions at the regional and national level.
“These rankings reflect the daily work happening across campus to support student success,” said CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen. “When faculty and staff work together to serve students and open doors, these are the kinds of results you see.”
U.S. News does not review every program annually. In fact, the outlet included several new program categories this year. CU Denver appeared in seven of the newly ranked categories, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ biological sciences program, which debuted at No. 55 out of 159 programs nationwide. In some cases, U.S. News uses broader category titles that vary slightly from CU Denver’s official program names.
The U.S. News Best Graduate Schools Rankings are widely used by prospective students to compare programs based on factors like academic reputation, student outcomes, and faculty resources.
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About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.