CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between California State University Chico 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.

California State University Chico
University of Northern Colorado

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CSU #675
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CSU -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • CSU Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CSU
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CSU $8,472
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CSU $21,072
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • CSU $16,500
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • CSU $14,630
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CSU 66%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • CSU 10.2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CSU B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CSU
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • CSU 18/24
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • CSU 970/1170
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CSU 43%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • CSU 57%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CSU High
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • CSU No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • CSU 46%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • CSU 6%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • CSU 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • CSU 29%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • CSU 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CSU 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CSU 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • CSU 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CSU 7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CSU 98%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CSU 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Chico is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 California State University Chico than University of Northern Colorado ($14,630 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 2.1% lower than at California State University Chico ($16,154 vs. $16,500).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 46.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $3,944 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $8,472.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at California State University Chico (about $6,194 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $21,072.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at California State University Chico (95% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 15.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($11,509 vs. $9,992).

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is the same as at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (92.7%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

CSU vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

  • California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Northern Colorado's (46%).
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $4,970 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.