University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University

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

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
Location Greeley, CO Hays, KS
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 12,949
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #862
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu fhsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $4,140
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $14,580
Room & Board $12,870 $8,481
Avg Net Price $18,310 $13,322
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $5,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 1,828
Admitted 7,938 1,609
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 88%
Enrolled % 15% 51.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/24
SAT Range 990/1200 940/1190
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 Fort Hays State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
Graduation Rate 46% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $20,718
Median Loan Payment $227 $214

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
% Men 31% 38%
% Women 69% 62%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 57%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 18% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 29%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 17% 17%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado Fort Hays State University
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

  • Fort Hays State University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (12,949 students vs. 9,380 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or Fort Hays State University?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 111.4% more expensive to attend than Fort Hays State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $4,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.9% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Fort Hays State University ($22,140.00 vs. $14,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than University of Northern Colorado ($13,322 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 51.8% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($8,481 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Fort Hays State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 63.6% larger than aid received Fort Hays State University ($8,813 vs. $5,387)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or Fort Hays State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University (3.45)
  • Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado or Fort Hays State University? 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 Fort Hays State University and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Fort Hays State University (46% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $3,200 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $41,400)
  • Fort Hays State University students graduate with a $1,252 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($20,718 vs. $21,970)
  • Fort Hays State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($214 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Hays State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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