Adams State College vs. University of Northern Colorado

Should I go to Adams State College or University of Northern Colorado? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Adams State College or University of Northern Colorado is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Adams State College vs. University of Northern Colorado comparison
Adams State College University of Northern Colorado College 3 College 4
Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
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Overview

 Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
Location Alamosa, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 2,854 9,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #893 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website adams.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $6,072 $8,750
Tuition (Out of State) $18,144 $22,140
Room & Board $9,220 $12,870
Avg Net Price $13,224 $18,310
Avg Grant Aid $9,524 $8,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,580 10,107
Admitted 1,567 7,938
Acceptance Rate 99.2% 78.5%
Enrolled % 19.3% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/26 20/27
SAT Range 910/1130 990/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
% Men 42% 31%
% Women 58% 69%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 56%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 32% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 15%

Students

 Adams State College University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 65% 82%
% Out-of-State 35% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Adams State College based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 2,854 students)

Adams State College vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adams State College or University of Northern Colorado?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 44.1% more expensive to attend than Adams State College for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $6,072.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Adams State College ($22,140.00 vs. $18,144.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Adams State College than University of Northern Colorado ($13,224 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Adams State College are 39.6% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($9,220 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Adams State College (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adams State College students is 8.1% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($9,524 vs. $8,813)

Adams State College vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adams State College or University of Northern Colorado? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Northern Colorado or Adams State College .

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 77 points higher than at Adams State College (954)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Adams State College (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Adams State College (3.2)
  • Adams State College has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

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

Which is better, Adams State College or University of Northern Colorado? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Northern Colorado and Adams State College.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Adams State College (46% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $6,500 more per year than Adams State College graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $38,100)
  • Adams State College students graduate with a $679 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,291 vs. $21,970)
  • Adams State College graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans 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 College 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/