CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado

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

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
Location Boulder, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 41,432 9,067
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #197 #688
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $14,784 $9,296
Tuition (Out of State) $40,297 $23,490
Room & Board $16,950 $15,230
Avg Net Price $22,640 $19,115
Avg Grant Aid $10,838 $8,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 54% 94%

Admission

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 56,069 10,274
Admitted 46,692 8,880
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 86.4%
Enrolled % 16.2% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 28/33 17/26
SAT Range 1230/1420 970/1180
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 Jan 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 68% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $201 $227

Diversity

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
% Men 14% 7%
% Women 9% 20%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 56%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 15%

Students

 CU Boulder University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 53% 84%
% Out-of-State 45% 15%

Campus

 CU Boulder 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

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (41,432 students vs. 9,067 students)

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 59% more expensive to attend than University of Northern Colorado for in-state tuition ($14,784.00 vs. $9,296.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.5% higher at CU Boulder than University of Northern Colorado ($40,297.00 vs. $23,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Northern Colorado than CU Boulder ($19,115 vs. $22,640)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 11.3% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($15,230 vs. $16,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Colorado Boulder (94% vs. 54%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 23.5% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($10,838 vs. $8,773)

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 181 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than CU Boulder (83.3%)

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than University of Northern Colorado (68% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $12,300 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $2,470 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,970)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($201 vs. $227)
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 62%)

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