University of Northern Colorado vs. Murray State University

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

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
Location Greeley, CO Murray, KY
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 9,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #669
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $8,196
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $17,652
Room & Board $12,870 $10,160
Avg Net Price $18,310 $11,042
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $11,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 10,251
Admitted 7,938 8,609
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 84%
Enrolled % 15% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/26
SAT Range 990/1200 965/1190
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 Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
Graduation Rate 46% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $222

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
% Men 31% 37%
% Women 69% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 81%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 18% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 15% 2%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Murray State University
% In-State 82% 61%
% Out-of-State 17% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Murray State University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 9,380 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 6.8% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.4% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Murray State University ($22,140.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than University of Northern Colorado ($11,042 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 26.7% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,160 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado as Murray State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 31.2% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($11,560 vs. $8,813)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 38 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than University of Northern Colorado (52% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $4,200 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $470 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,500 vs. $21,970)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

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