University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU) was founded in 1864 and is almost as old as the city of Denver itself. This private institution is home to around 11,000 students. The university was founded as Colorado Seminary by the territory’s then-governor John Evans, with the backing of the Methodist Church, and became the University of Denver in 1880. While the university prides itself on its Methodist principals, it has explicitly stated since its founding that it accepts students of all religions. DU’s College of Business is one of the oldest in the United States, dating back to 1908. A broad spectrum of studies is available at DU, with over 100 undergraduate programmes and 120 graduate programmes. Experiential learning has a high profile at DU. Students are encouraged to take on community projects, research and internships, and many choose to study abroad DU’s athletes, known as Pioneers, have had greater success in skiing than any other university. The university also has an excellent reputation in ice hockey and lacrosse, and plays in 16 different sports in total. The 125 acre campus sits a few miles south of downtown Denver in a quiet residential neighbourhood. The city can be accessed in minutes by light rail, or students can stay on campus to enjoy its extensive library, recreation centre and tree-lined green spaces. More than 400 performances take place on campus each year. Notable alumni from UD include major political and business figures such as former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Home Depot CEO Carol Tomé and Coors Brewery chairman Peter Coors.