The University of Denver (DU) is a private research university in Denver, Colorado. It was founded in 1864 and is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, law, engineering, social sciences, humanities, education, and the arts. DU has a student population of approximately 12,000 and is known for its strong programs in international studies, business, and law. The university is consistently ranked among the top 100 national universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.