CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado

Should I go to California State University Chico or University of Northern Colorado? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU 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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California State University Chico vs. University of Northern Colorado comparison
California State University Chico University of Northern Colorado College 3 College 4
California State University Chico University of Northern Colorado
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Overview

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
Location Chico, CA Greeley, CO
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 14,523 9,067
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #660 #688
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $9,296
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $23,490
Room & Board $16,020 $15,230
Avg Net Price $15,187 $19,115
Avg Grant Aid $10,331 $8,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 94%

Admission

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,263 10,274
Admitted 20,864 8,880
Acceptance Rate 93.7% 86.4%
Enrolled % 10.4% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/26
SAT Range 970/1170 970/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 59% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $175 $227

Diversity

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
% Men 3% 7%
% Women 6% 20%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 56%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 29% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 15%

Students

 CSU University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 97% 84%
% Out-of-State 2% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Chico is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (14,523 students vs. 9,067 students)

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or University of Northern Colorado?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 61.9% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.3% higher at University of Northern Colorado than California State University Chico ($23,490.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than University of Northern Colorado ($15,187 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 5.2% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($15,230 vs. $16,020)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than California State University Chico (94% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 17.8% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($10,331 vs. $8,773)

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 28 points higher than at CSU (1003)
  • Incoming CSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than University of Northern Colorado (59% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $7,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $44,600)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $4,970 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($17,000 vs. $21,970)
  • CSU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($175 vs. $227)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/