University of Northern Colorado vs. ETSU

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

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
Location Greeley, CO Johnson City, TN
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 9,380 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $11,532
Room & Board $12,870 $9,613
Avg Net Price $18,310 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 9,609
Admitted 7,938 8,193
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 85.3%
Enrolled % 15% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/26
SAT Range 990/1200 980/1190
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

Academics

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
Graduation Rate 46% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $211

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
% Men 31% 37%
% Women 69% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 18% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado ETSU
% In-State 82% 75%
% Out-of-State 17% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 9,380 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 13.3% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 92% higher at University of Northern Colorado than East Tennessee State University ($22,140.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than University of Northern Colorado ($14,350 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 33.9% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($9,613 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado as East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 0.8% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($8,813 vs. $8,739)

University of Northern Colorado vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 37 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming ETSU 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 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than East Tennessee State University (46% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $4,600 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $1,470 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,970)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($211 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 50%)

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