University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Fort Hays State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Northern Colorado

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Fort Hays State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Fort Hays State University 12,878
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • Fort Hays State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Fort Hays State University #880
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Fort Hays State University -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Fort Hays State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • Fort Hays State University fhsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Fort Hays State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Fort Hays State University $5,923
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Fort Hays State University $17,741
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Fort Hays State University $9,120
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Fort Hays State University $13,186
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • Fort Hays State University $6,751
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Fort Hays State University 92%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Fort Hays State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Fort Hays State University 2,619
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Fort Hays State University 2,364
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Fort Hays State University 90.3%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Fort Hays State University 41.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Fort Hays State University 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Fort Hays State University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Fort Hays State University 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Fort Hays State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Fort Hays State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Fort Hays State University
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • Fort Hays State University 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Fort Hays State University 970/1140
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Fort Hays State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Fort Hays State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Fort Hays State University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Fort Hays State University
    • Business (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • Fort Hays State University 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Fort Hays State University 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • Fort Hays State University High
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Fort Hays State University No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • Fort Hays State University 57%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • Fort Hays State University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Fort Hays State University 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • Fort Hays State University 7%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Fort Hays State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Fort Hays State University 2%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • Fort Hays State University 29%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • Fort Hays State University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • Fort Hays State University 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • Fort Hays State University 17%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Fort Hays State University is in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Fort Hays State University 15:1.

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? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fort Hays State University than University of Northern Colorado ($13,186 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 43.5% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($9,120 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 109.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $6,493 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $5,923.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Fort Hays State University (about $9,525 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $17,741.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Fort Hays State University (95% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 48% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($9,992 vs. $6,751).

University of Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or Fort Hays State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fort Hays State University and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 10 points higher than at Fort Hays State University (1060).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Fort Hays State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Fort Hays State University 970/1140.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Fort Hays State University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; Fort Hays State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (90.3%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 41.8% at Fort Hays State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado and Fort Hays State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Fort Hays State University's (40%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $1,252 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($20,718 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.