University of Northern Colorado vs. RU

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

University of Northern Colorado RU
Location Greeley, CO Radford, VA
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 9,067 7,531
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #449
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado RU
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $8,401
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $20,853
Room & Board $15,230 $11,973
Avg Net Price $19,115 $18,282
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $8,968
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 11,072
Admitted 8,880 10,036
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 90.6%
Enrolled % 13.8% 11%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26 19/26
SAT Range 970/1180 950/1170
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

Academics

University of Northern Colorado RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado RU
Graduation Rate 46% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $237

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado RU
% Men 7% 5%
% Women 20% 19%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 71%
% Black 4% 13%
% Hispanic 18% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

University of Northern Colorado RU
% In-State 84% 88%
% Out-of-State 15% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than RU based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 7,531 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 10.7% more expensive to attend than RU for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $8,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.6% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Radford University ($23,490.00 vs. $20,853.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than University of Northern Colorado ($18,282 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 27.2% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,973 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than University of Northern Colorado (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 2.2% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($8,968 vs. $8,773)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at RU (3.31)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at RU is higher than University of Northern Colorado (56% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Radford University earn on average $2,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $1,030 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($21,970 vs. $23,000)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($227 vs. $237)
  • More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

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