University of Northern Colorado vs. Kean

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

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
Location Greeley, CO Union, NJ
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,067 13,352
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #696
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu kean.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $11,135
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $18,785
Room & Board $15,230 $16,592
Avg Net Price $19,115 $11,593
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $12,982
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 91%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 12,142
Admitted 8,880 9,335
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 76.9%
Enrolled % 13.8% 21.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26
SAT Range 970/1180 1020/1198
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, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
Graduation Rate 46% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $258

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 20% 12%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 36%
% Black 4% 20%
% Hispanic 18% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 8%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
% In-State 84% 89%
% Out-of-State 15% 4%

Campus

 University of Northern Colorado Kean
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

  • Kean University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (13,352 students vs. 9,067 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Kean Cost Comparison

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

  • Kean University is 19.8% more expensive to attend than University of Northern Colorado for in-state tuition ($11,135.00 vs. $9,296.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Kean University ($23,490.00 vs. $18,785.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kean University than University of Northern Colorado ($11,593 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 8.9% lower than costs at Kean University ($15,230 vs. $16,592)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Kean University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 48% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($12,982 vs. $8,773)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Kean Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 103 points higher than at Kean (928)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Kean (19)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Kean (3.2)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Kean (76.9%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Kean is higher than University of Northern Colorado (49% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Kean University earn on average $1,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $3,030 lower median federal student loan debt than Kean graduates. ($21,970 vs. $25,000)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Kean graduates. ($227 vs. $258)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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