Adams State University vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between Adams State University and University of Northern Colorado? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Adams State University
University of Northern Colorado

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Adams State University Alamosa, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • Adams State University Remote Town
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Adams State University 2,901
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • Adams State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Adams State University #1025
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Adams State University -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • Adams State University Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Adams State University $9,824
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Adams State University $21,944
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • Adams State University $9,820
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • Adams State University $13,340
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Adams State University $10,747
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Adams State University 91%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Adams State University Calculate
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Applied
  • Adams State University -
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • Adams State University -
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Adams State University 1020
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Adams State University 20
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Adams State University 3.2
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Adams State University B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Adams State University Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • Adams State University 15/26
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Adams State University 910/1130
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Adams State University Not reported
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Adams State University 14:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Adams State University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (27%)
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Adams State University 23%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Adams State University $38,100
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Adams State University 44%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Adams State University $21,291
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Adams State University $220
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Adams State University 44%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • Adams State University 56%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Adams State University High
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • Adams State University No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • Adams State University 49%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • Adams State University 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • Adams State University 7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Adams State University 32%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • Adams State University 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Adams State University 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Adams State University 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • Adams State University 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Adams State University 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Adams State University 64%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Adams State University 28%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Adams State University Yes
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Adams State University No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Meal Plan
  • Adams State University Yes
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Adams State University Yes
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Adams State University Yes
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Learn More
  • Adams State University Details
  • University of Northern Colorado Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Adams State University in Alamosa, CO with University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Colorado is larger than Adams State University based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 2,901 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Adams State University is located in Alamosa, CO (Remote Town setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • Adams State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Adams State University 14:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Adams State University vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adams State University or University of Northern Colorado? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Adams State University than University of Northern Colorado ($13,340 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Adams State University are 39.2% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($9,820 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Adams State University (about $2,592 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $9,824.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Adams State University (about $5,322 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $21,944.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Adams State University (95% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adams State University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($10,747 vs. $9,992).

Adams State University vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adams State University or University of Northern Colorado? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Northern Colorado and Adams State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 50 points higher than at Adams State University (1020).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Adams State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Adams State University 910/1130; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Adams State University 15/26; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Adams State University - Not reported; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Adams State University (3.2).

Adams State University vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Adams State University and University of Northern Colorado? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Adams State University's (23%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Adams State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Adams State University graduates have a $679 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,291 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Adams State University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($220 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Adams State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.