Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Northern Colorado

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or University of Northern Colorado? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Northern Colorado comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
Location Magnolia, AR Greeley, CO
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 5,127 9,067
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #688
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $9,296
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $23,490
Room & Board $7,601 $15,230
Avg Net Price $14,164 $19,115
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $8,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 10,274
Admitted 1,955 8,880
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 86.4%
Enrolled % 40.8% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 17/26
SAT Range 920/1180 970/1180
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 34% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $175 $227

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
% Men 17% 7%
% Women 21% 20%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 56%
% Black 28% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 15%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 69% 84%
% Out-of-State 31% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or University of Northern Colorado?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 29.1% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($23,490.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Northern Colorado ($14,164 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 100.4% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($7,601 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Northern Colorado (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 12% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($9,826 vs. $8,773)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 43 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (46% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $6,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,950 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,970)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($175 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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/