UCCS vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (11,354 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

UCCS vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than UCCS ($16,790 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Missouri State University are 4.9% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,282 vs. $12,918).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $462 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.5% higher at UCCS than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $7,012 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($9,101 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 40 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

UCCS vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and Northwest? 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).

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $4,001 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($20,999 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($217 vs. $258).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.