University of Northern Colorado vs. Jackson State University

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

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
Location Greeley, CO Jackson, MS
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 9,380 6,906
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #961
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $8,270
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $8,270
Room & Board $12,870 $10,445
Avg Net Price $18,310 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $8,694
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 12,583
Admitted 7,938 11,153
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 88.6%
Enrolled % 15% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 16/21
SAT Range 990/1200 1073/1210
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado Jackson 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 (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 46% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $299

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
% Men 31% 33%
% Women 69% 67%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 56% 4%
% Black 4% 92%
% Hispanic 18% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 0%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Jackson State University
% In-State 82% 27%
% Out-of-State 17% 72%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado Jackson 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

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 6,906 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 5.8% more expensive to attend than Jackson State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 167.7% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Jackson State University ($22,140.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jackson State University than University of Northern Colorado ($15,292 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jackson State University are 23.2% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,445 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Jackson State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 1.4% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($8,813 vs. $8,694)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 121 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado or Jackson 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 Jackson State University and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Jackson State University (46% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $11,800 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $32,800)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $7,030 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($21,970 vs. $29,000)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($227 vs. $299)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 36%)

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