University of Northern Colorado vs. CSUMB

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

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
Location Greeley, CO Seaside, CA
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,067 6,742
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #835
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu csumb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $17,622
Room & Board $15,230 $16,413
Avg Net Price $19,115 $15,222
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $10,480
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 73%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 11,769
Admitted 8,880 11,160
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 94.8%
Enrolled % 13.8% 8.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26 17/23
SAT Range 970/1180 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
Graduation Rate 46% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $45,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $14,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $144

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
% Men 7% 3%
% Women 20% 9%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 31%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 18% 43%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 5%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado CSUMB
% In-State 84% 93%
% Out-of-State 15% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 6,742 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 61.9% more expensive to attend than CSUMB for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.3% higher at University of Northern Colorado than California State University Monterey Bay ($23,490.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Monterey Bay than University of Northern Colorado ($15,222 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 7.8% lower than costs at California State University Monterey Bay ($15,230 vs. $16,413)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than California State University Monterey Bay (94% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 19.5% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($10,480 vs. $8,773)

University of Northern Colorado vs. CSUMB Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or CSUMB? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CSUMB or University of Northern Colorado .

  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CSUMB (3.45)
  • CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than California State University Monterey Bay (46% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn on average $700 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($45,300 vs. $44,600)
  • California State University Monterey Bay students graduate with a $7,970 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($14,000 vs. $21,970)
  • CSUMB graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($144 vs. $227)
  • More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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