University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU

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

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
Location Greeley, CO Aberdeen, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $10,718
Room & Board $12,870 $9,150
Avg Net Price $18,310 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 1,322
Admitted 7,938 1,033
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 78.1%
Enrolled % 15% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 18/24
SAT Range 990/1200 800/1150
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 NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
Graduation Rate 46% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $227 $252

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
% Men 31% 37%
% Women 69% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 83%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 18% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 15% 0%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
% In-State 82% 69%
% Out-of-State 17% 30%

Campus

 University of Northern Colorado NSU
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

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 3,344 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 14.9% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 106.6% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Northern State University ($22,140.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than University of Northern Colorado ($17,264 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 40.7% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($9,150 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 54.2% larger than aid received Northern State University ($8,813 vs. $5,715)

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 7 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than NSU (78.1%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Northern State University (46% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $7,200 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,400)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $2,429 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($21,970 vs. $24,399)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($227 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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