California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt
University of Northern Colorado

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Remote Town
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 6,237
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt #787
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Website
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt humboldt.edu
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • Team Colors
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $8,250
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $20,850
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,118
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,090
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $10,748
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 66%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Calculate
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Applied
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,725
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,442
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 98.2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 5.9%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 1080
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 3.33
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 17/25
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 970/1190
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Test-free
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 16:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
    • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 40%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $39,000
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 56%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $19,500
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $201
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 44%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 56%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt High
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 45%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 33%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 6%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 90%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 9%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt than University of Northern Colorado ($14,090 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 12.6% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($14,118 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 50.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $4,166 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $8,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $6,416 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $20,850.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (95% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($10,748 vs. $9,992).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($201 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

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.