CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado

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

 CU Denver University of Northern Colorado
Location Denver, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 23,744 9,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CU Denver University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $8,750
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $22,140
Room & Board $14,230 $12,870
Avg Net Price $16,079 $18,310
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $8,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

 CU Denver University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 10,107
Admitted 11,658 7,938
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 78.5%
Enrolled % 14.6% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/27
SAT Range 1030/1260 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 CU Denver University of Northern Colorado
% Men 40% 31%
% Women 60% 69%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 56%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 15%

Students

 CU Denver University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 82% 82%
% Out-of-State 15% 17%

Campus

 CU Denver 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 Denver is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 9,380 students)

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 0.2% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $8,736.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.4% higher at CU Denver than University of Northern Colorado ($25,992.00 vs. $22,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than University of Northern Colorado ($16,079 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 10.6% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($12,870 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Colorado Denver (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 6.5% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($9,384 vs. $8,813)

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 24 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • 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 (78.5%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than University of Colorado Denver (46% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $23,600 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $780 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,190 vs. $21,970)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans 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/