DU vs. University of Northern Colorado

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

 DU University of Northern Colorado
Location Denver, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,734 9,380
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #82 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website du.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 DU University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $55,260 $8,750
Tuition (Out of State) $55,260 $22,140
Room & Board $15,470 $12,870
Avg Net Price $42,423 $18,310
Avg Grant Aid $30,954 $8,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 DU University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,342 10,107
Admitted 15,024 7,938
Acceptance Rate 77.7% 78.5%
Enrolled % 10.9% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 28/32 20/27
SAT Range 1220/1400 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 Jan 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 DU University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

 DU University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 78% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,699 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $245 $227

Diversity

 DU University of Northern Colorado
% Men 38% 31%
% Women 62% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 56%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 10% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 9% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 15%

Students

 DU University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 25% 82%
% Out-of-State 71% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Denver is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (13,734 students vs. 9,380 students)

DU vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Denver is 531.5% more expensive to attend than University of Northern Colorado for in-state tuition ($55,260.00 vs. $8,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 149.6% higher at DU than University of Northern Colorado ($55,260.00 vs. $22,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Northern Colorado than DU ($18,310 vs. $42,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 20.2% lower than costs at University of Denver ($12,870 vs. $15,470)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Denver (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 251.2% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($30,954 vs. $8,813)

DU vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Denver (1249) is 218 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming DU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than DU (77.7%)

DU vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DU 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 DU.

  • The graduation rate at DU is higher than University of Northern Colorado (78% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Denver earn on average $18,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($63,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $1,729 lower median federal student loan debt than DU graduates. ($21,970 vs. $23,699)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than DU graduates. ($227 vs. $245)
  • More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 62%)

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