UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,354 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 15:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 Colorado Colorado Springs than University of Northern Colorado ($16,942 vs. $19,376).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 20% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,918 vs. $16,154).
• University of Northern Colorado is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $2,267 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $2,930 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 34.7% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($9,992 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 50 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
• Incoming UCCS students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at University of Northern Colorado (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (97.4%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

UCCS vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $971 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($20,999 vs. $21,970).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.