University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Northern State University? 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

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • NSU Aberdeen, SD
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • NSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • NSU 3,708
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • NSU #921
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • NSU -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • NSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • NSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • NSU $8,845
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • NSU $11,947
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • NSU $10,600
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • NSU $15,990
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • NSU $6,441
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • NSU 97%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • NSU 1,086
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • NSU 1,010
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • NSU 93%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • NSU 35.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • NSU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • NSU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • NSU 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • NSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • NSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • NSU
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • NSU 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • NSU 980/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • NSU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • NSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • NSU
    • Business (35%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Biology (4%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • NSU 38%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • NSU 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • NSU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • NSU No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • NSU 83%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • NSU 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • NSU 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • NSU 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • NSU 3%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • NSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • NSU 2%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • NSU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • NSU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • NSU 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • NSU 26%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • NSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • NSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • NSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • NSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Colorado is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Northern State University 19:1.

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or NSU? 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 Northern State University than University of Northern Colorado ($15,990 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 34.4% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($10,600 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $3,571 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $8,845.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 128.2% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Northern State University (about $15,319 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $11,947.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of Northern Colorado (97% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 55.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($9,992 vs. $6,441).

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is the same as at NSU (1070).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Northern State University 980/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Northern State University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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).
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 35.2% at NSU.

University of Northern Colorado vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado and NSU? 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 Northern State University's (42%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $2,429 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,970 vs. $24,399).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.