CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between University of Colorado Boulder 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.

University of Colorado Boulder
University of Northern Colorado

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CU Boulder -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • CU Boulder Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CU Boulder
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CU Boulder A-
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CU Boulder
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • CU Boulder 29/33
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • CU Boulder 1240/1430
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CU Boulder Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

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

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • CU Boulder 47%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CU Boulder Medium
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • CU Boulder No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • CU Boulder 71%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • CU Boulder 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • CU Boulder 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • CU Boulder 11%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • CU Boulder 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CU Boulder 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CU Boulder 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • CU Boulder 6%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CU Boulder 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CU Boulder 54%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CU Boulder 45%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 University of Northern Colorado than CU Boulder ($19,376 vs. $26,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 12.5% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,154 vs. $18,468).
  • University of Colorado Boulder is 26.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northern Colorado (about $3,250 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $12,416.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.7% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Northern Colorado (about $17,652 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $27,266.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at University of Colorado Boulder (95% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 12.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($11,225 vs. $9,992).

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 270 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at University of Northern Colorado).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (85.9%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

CU Boulder vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Northern Colorado's (46%).
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.