Students forming the CU logo on field outside of Tivoli Station

U.S. News & World Report: CU Denver Ranks No. 1 for Social Mobility in Colorado

University jumps more than 50 spots in 2022 Best Colleges rankings

September 13, 2021

CU Denver is officially ranked 1st in Colorado and 55th in the nation in social mobility.  

U.S. News & World Report released its 2022 Best Colleges rankings, naming CU Denver as a top-performing school for social mobility. Having ranked 106th in 2021, the jump shows the university’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all, the central goal of the 2030 Strategic Plan.  

Over the course of the last year, CU Denver has made great strides in becoming the nation’s first equity serving-institution (ESI). As an ESI, CU Denver will be able to expand its capacity to deliver the highest level of education services to its students. The university will focus on courageously humanizing its systems and policies to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus dedicated to the success of every member of our community. 

CU Denver has already made new hires, additional investments, and joined new initiatives to stay dedicated to the goal of becoming an ESI.  

How Does U.S. News Rank Social Mobility? 

U.S. News debuted its social mobility ranking in 2019. The top performers in social mobility are measured by the extent schools enrolled and graduated students who received Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, with most money going to students with total family incomes below $20,000.  

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

In addition to the university’s improvement in social mobility, other highlights from this year’s rankings include the Business School’s undergraduate program ranking 143rd and the undergraduate computer science program housed in the College of Engineering, Design, and Computer coming in at 135th. 

According to previous rankings, the School of Public Affairs ranks number 25 in the nation for public affairs graduate programs overall. Five graduate specialty programs are in the top 25 or better including nonprofit management, environmental policy and management, and public policy analysis.

CU Denver’s Business School ranks 77th in its part-time MBA program, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ clinical psychology program ranks 64th.

CU Denver currently stands at 112th for Top Public Schools.