UCCS vs. NDSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

UCCS vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than UCCS ($15,596 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 23.1% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($9,928 vs. $12,918).
• North Dakota State University Main Campus is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $961 more per year; $11,110.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at UCCS than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $8,572 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $15,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students is 15.8% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($7,420 vs. $6,409).

UCCS vs. NDSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS or NDSU? 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 NDSU and UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 30 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; NDSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than NDSU (95%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 32% at NDSU.

UCCS vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and NDSU? 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).

• North Dakota State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $2,301 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($20,999 vs. $23,300).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDSU graduates ($217 vs. $240).
• More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCCS students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)

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.