Rocky Vista University

Parker, CO Private Website

55.0%

Acceptance Rate

1250

Avg SAT

Avg ACT

3.55

Avg GPA

Rocky Vista University (RVU) emerged in 2008 as a health sciences institution committed to training physicians and healthcare professionals prepared for 21st-century medical practice. With campuses in Parker, Colorado, and Ivins, Utah, RVU operates the College of Osteopathic Medicine alongside programs in biomedical sciences, with plans for additional health professions programs reflecting healthcare's evolving needs. The university's founding addressed physician shortages in the Rocky Mountain region and the Intermountain West, with a mission to produce practitioners who would serve underserved communities and rural populations. RVU's osteopathic approach integrates traditional medical education with osteopathic principles emphasizing holistic patient care, prevention, and the body's capacity for self-healing. Rocky Vista University holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation for its medical program. These accreditations enable RVU graduates to pursue medical licensure, residency training, and practice across all medical specialties, equivalent to graduates of allopathic (MD) medical schools. The university has rapidly established itself within osteopathic medical education, growing enrollment and expanding facilities while maintaining commitment to personalized student support. RVU's relatively small class sizes compared to larger medical schools enable meaningful faculty-student relationships that support academic success and professional development. The institution continues evolving its programs and facilities to meet healthcare education needs.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 55.0%
SAT Range: 1150–1350
ACT Range: N/A
Avg GPA: 3.55

Campus & Students

Size: N/A
Type: Private
Student:Faculty: N/A
Setting: suburban

Outcomes & Cost

Graduation Rate: N/A
Retention Rate: N/A
Tuition (In-State): N/A
Tuition (Int'l): N/A

Academic Programs

30 programs

STEM

Biology · bachelorsChemistry · bachelorsComputer Science · bachelorsData Science · bachelorsEngineering · bachelorsMathematics · bachelorsPhysics · bachelors

Business

Accounting · bachelorsBusiness Administration · bachelorsEconomics · bachelorsFinance · bachelorsMarketing · bachelors

Arts

Architecture · bachelorsDesign · bachelorsFine Arts · bachelorsMusic · bachelors

Humanities

English · bachelorsHistory · bachelorsLanguages · bachelorsPhilosophy · bachelors

Social Sciences

International Relations · bachelorsPolitical Science · bachelorsPsychology · bachelorsSociology · bachelors

Other

Communications · bachelorsEducation · bachelorsEnvironmental Science · bachelors

Health

Nursing · bachelorsPre-Med · bachelorsPublic Health · bachelors

Key Highlights

Dedicated to academic excellence
Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Medical school dominates student life at RVU, as it does at any DO or MD program. The intensity of the curriculum leaves limited time for extracurricular activities, though students find ways to build community and decompress. Student organizations cover specialties like surgery, pediatrics, and emergency medicine, allowing students to explore interests and connect with similarly inclined peers. Service organizations coordinate volunteer opportunities at free clinics and community health events, letting students practice patient interaction while helping underserved populations. The suburban Parker campus offers modern facilities without the distractions of urban life. Denver's amenities lie about 30 minutes north for students seeking restaurants, entertainment, or cultural events on rare free weekends. Many students live in nearby apartments and townhomes, forming study groups and supporting each other through the academic grind. The Colorado location means outdoor recreation remains accessible for stress relief: hiking, skiing, and camping when schedules permit. Spouse and family support groups recognize that medical education strains relationships and provide resources for partners navigating the challenges alongside students. Mental health support acknowledges the pressures of medical training. The relatively small class sizes compared to large MD programs mean students know their classmates and can build genuine friendships rather than getting lost in massive cohorts.

Location & Surroundings

Parker positions RVU in the Denver metropolitan area's southern reach, a planned suburban community that has grown rapidly alongside Colorado's population boom. The town offers safe neighborhoods, good schools, and family-friendly amenities that appeal to medical students with spouses and children. Housing costs are lower than closer to Denver while still providing reasonable commute times to the wider metro area. The campus sits near retail and restaurant options for daily conveniences. Denver proper lies about 25 miles north, accessible via highways for weekend exploration, cultural events, or connections to Denver International Airport. The suburban setting provides focus for studying without urban distractions, though some students may find the lack of walkable nightlife limiting. Colorado's natural attractions remain the biggest location draw. Rocky Mountain National Park, world-class ski resorts, and extensive trail systems offer escapes from the stress of medical education. The state's 300 days of sunshine and generally pleasant climate make outdoor activity appealing year-round. Healthcare facilities throughout the metro area provide clinical rotation sites, from major hospital systems to community clinics. The growth of Colorado's population has expanded healthcare infrastructure, creating opportunities for both training and eventual practice.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Medical education costs have escalated dramatically, and RVU's tuition reflects industry-wide trends. Expect to invest over $250,000 in total educational costs across four years when factoring tuition, fees, living expenses, and incidentals. Most students rely heavily on federal loans to finance this investment, graduating with debt loads that require careful career planning to manage. The financial aid office provides counseling on loan options, repayment strategies, and budgeting during school. Some students secure military scholarships through programs like the Health Professions Scholarship Program, which covers costs in exchange for service commitments. The investment pays off through physician salaries that, while not as high as some specialists, comfortably exceed what most careers offer. Primary care physicians earn median salaries around $220,000 to $250,000, with specialists earning significantly more. Osteopathic physicians qualify for the same residencies and practice the same medicine as MD graduates, despite historical distinctions that have largely dissolved. Residency match rates indicate how well graduates compete for training positions. RVU graduates have matched across specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgical fields. Career services assists with residency application preparation, interview skills, and the match process that determines where graduates spend their training years.