U.S. News & World Report Ranks DU as a Best Value School in 2027 Rankings

The University of Denver ranks among the top 100 Best Value Schools in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, released today. DU ranked No. 93, climbing four spots from last year’s ranking.

"At the University of Denver, we believe that a degree should open doors—and these rankings confirm that it does," says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. "With strong career outcomes, meaningful financial aid, and a holistic education through the 4D Experience, DU prepares students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of purpose and impact. Being recognized among the nation's top 100 Best Value Schools reflects our enduring commitment to making an exceptional education accessible and worth every investment our students make."

To determine rankings, U.S. News & World Report measures academic quality relative to the actual cost for students with financial need, which is the most heavily weighted factor (50%). The remaining factors include the percentage of students receiving aid, grant and scholarship aid, and average discount.  

DU’s annual average cost to attend after scholarships and aid is $36,161, while median earnings for DU graduates reach $78,504—$18,127 (30%) above the national average. Combined with strong graduation rates and manageable student debt, these outcomes demonstrate the financial value of a DU degree.  

That’s in part due to DU’s signature Four-Dimensional (4D) Experience, which aims to develop students holistically, helping them become curious, creative problem solvers, intentional relationship builders, and purpose-driven practitioners. By encouraging students to deepen intellect, develop well-being, discover character, and design careers and lives of purpose, the 4D Experience helps students understand not only what they want to do but who they want to become.  

That foundation is reinforced through DU’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) team, which serves as a catalyst for career readiness. Through one-on-one advising and mentorship, resources, on-campus employment, career fairs, networking events, and more, CPD helps students find, develop, and nurture their strengths. Just as importantly, CPD helps students turn that preparation into experience, connecting them with opportunities to explore careers, build professional networks, and apply what they’re learning beyond the classroom. 

Helping students find internships and explore careers 

Internships are one of the most direct ways students can put that preparation into practice. They help students explore career paths, build connections, and refine their goals. At DU, more than three-quarters of students take part in these opportunities— over 77% of undergraduates and over 85% of graduate students completed one or more internships before graduating.  

While nearly half of internships offered in the United States are unpaid, the Summer Internship Award Program helps students participate in unpaid internships by providing stipends ranging from $2,500 to $3,500. The program, now in its sixth year, has received positive feedback, helping more students access life-changing, real-world experiences.  

“We’ve heard that students wouldn’t be able to complete an internship without this program or they wouldn’t be able to pay for housing, food, or rent. This helps them pursue experiential learning experiences without worrying about financial burden,” says Sarabeth Wolbrom, associate director of career and professional development.  

Career readiness through on-campus jobs program 

In addition to helping students access internships, DU offers a robust student employment program, helping students earn money while building career skills to help them after graduation.  

DU launched the Student Employees Achieve (SEA) Badge program in 2022. This program partners with online certification Credly, allowing students to earn digital badges that demonstrate career competencies identified by the National Association for Colleges & Employers (NACE). All student employees are eligible to participate.  

The SEA Badge program helps students reflect on their work experience, giving them the language to turn everyday tasks into resume-ready achievements. For SEA Badge awardee and alumna Jo Daggupati (MS ’26), the program gave her perspective and confidence.  

"The most eye-opening takeaway was realizing how seamlessly the NACE career readiness competencies weave into everyday student work. I had been refining my professionalism, technology, and communication skills all along; I just hadn’t named them. The SEA badge gave me that language and, with it, a new level of confidence to step into any interview and articulate my value with clarity and conviction,” says Daggupati.