CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Northern Colorado

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CU Denver Denver, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • CU Denver Large City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Denver 23,124
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • CU Denver Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CU Denver #275
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CU Denver -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • CU Denver Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CU Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CU Denver $10,383
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CU Denver $29,391
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • CU Denver $15,442
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • CU Denver $14,831
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CU Denver $9,496
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CU Denver 86%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CU Denver 14,931
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • CU Denver 11,151
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CU Denver 74.7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • CU Denver 13.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Denver 1100
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Denver 27
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • CU Denver 3.46
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CU Denver B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CU Denver Challenging
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CU Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • CU Denver 23/32
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • CU Denver 980/1220
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CU Denver Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CU Denver Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CU Denver 17:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CU Denver
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CU Denver 40%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CU Denver $68,200
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CU Denver 61%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CU Denver $21,190
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CU Denver $219
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CU Denver 40%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • CU Denver 60%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CU Denver High
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • CU Denver No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • CU Denver 51%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • CU Denver 10%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • CU Denver 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • CU Denver 19%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • CU Denver 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CU Denver 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CU Denver 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • CU Denver 8%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CU Denver 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CU Denver 89%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CU Denver 8%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than University of Northern Colorado ($14,831 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 4.4% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($15,442 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $2,033 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $10,383.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at CU Denver than at University of Northern Colorado (about $2,125 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $27,266.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (95% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 5.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($9,992 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 30 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming CU Denver students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at University of Northern Colorado).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $780 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($219 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.