University of Northern Colorado vs. IU Northwest

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Indiana University Northwest? 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
Indiana University Northwest

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • IU Northwest Gary, IN
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • IU Northwest Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • IU Northwest 3,041
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • IU Northwest Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • IU Northwest #875
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • IU Northwest -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • IU Northwest Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • IU Northwest iu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • IU Northwest

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • IU Northwest $8,424
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • IU Northwest $22,811
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • IU Northwest $10,972
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • IU Northwest $5,745
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • IU Northwest $8,327
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • IU Northwest 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • IU Northwest 2,928
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • IU Northwest 2,149
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • IU Northwest 73.4%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • IU Northwest 23.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • IU Northwest 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • IU Northwest 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • IU Northwest 3.14
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • IU Northwest B
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • IU Northwest Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • IU Northwest Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • IU Northwest 18/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • IU Northwest 910/1180
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • IU Northwest Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • IU Northwest

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • IU Northwest 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • IU Northwest
    • Health Professions (33%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • IU Northwest 23%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • IU Northwest $39,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • IU Northwest 33%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • IU Northwest $25,030
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • IU Northwest $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • IU Northwest 27%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • IU Northwest 73%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • IU Northwest High
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • IU Northwest No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • IU Northwest 55%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • IU Northwest 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • IU Northwest 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • IU Northwest 20%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • IU Northwest 3%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • IU Northwest 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • IU Northwest 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • IU Northwest 95%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • IU Northwest 4%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Colorado is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

University of Northern Colorado vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than University of Northern Colorado ($5,745 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 32.1% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($10,972 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $3,992 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $8,424.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Indiana University Northwest (about $4,455 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $22,811.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Indiana University Northwest (95% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 20% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($9,992 vs. $8,327).

University of Northern Colorado vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or IU Northwest? 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 IU Northwest and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 20 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

University of Northern Colorado vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado and IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $3,060 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($21,970 vs. $25,030).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 33%)

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.