UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado

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

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
Location Colorado Springs, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 11,431 9,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #616 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uccs.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $7,632 $8,750
Tuition (Out of State) $20,544 $22,140
Room & Board $11,400 $12,870
Avg Net Price $16,990 $18,310
Avg Grant Aid $5,841 $8,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 100%

Admission

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,751 10,107
Admitted 12,504 7,938
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 78.5%
Enrolled % 13.2% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 20/27
SAT Range 1015/1215 990/1200
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 41% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,999 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $217 $227

Diversity

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
% Men 45% 31%
% Women 55% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 56%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 16% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 15%

Students

 UCCS University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 80% 82%
% Out-of-State 19% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,431 students vs. 9,380 students)

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 14.6% more expensive to attend than UCCS for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $7,632.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($22,140.00 vs. $20,544.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Colorado Springs than University of Northern Colorado ($16,990 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 12.9% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,400 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Colorado Colorado Springs (100% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 50.9% larger than aid received University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($8,813 vs. $5,841)

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1088) is 57 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming UCCS students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado 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 (84.8%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCCS 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 UCCS.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs (46% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn on average $1,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs students graduate with a $971 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($20,999 vs. $21,970)
  • UCCS graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($217 vs. $227)
  • More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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