University of Northern Colorado vs. RIC

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

University of Northern Colorado RIC
Location Greeley, CO Providence, RI
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,067 5,767
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado RIC
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $25,014
Room & Board $15,230 $13,719
Avg Net Price $19,115 $11,549
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $6,998
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 4,988
Admitted 8,880 4,045
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 81.1%
Enrolled % 13.8% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26
SAT Range 970/1180 860/1160
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 Mar 15, 2026

Academics

University of Northern Colorado RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado RIC
Graduation Rate 46% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $227 $219

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado RIC
% Men 7% 3%
% Women 20% 14%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 62%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 18% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 15% 8%

Students

University of Northern Colorado RIC
% In-State 84% 82%
% Out-of-State 15% 17%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado RIC
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 RIC based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 5,767 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RIC Cost Comparison

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

  • Rhode Island College is 2% more expensive to attend than University of Northern Colorado for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $9,296.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.5% higher at RIC than University of Northern Colorado ($25,014.00 vs. $23,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than University of Northern Colorado ($11,549 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 11% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($13,719 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Rhode Island College (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 25.4% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($8,773 vs. $6,998)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 118 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than RIC (81.1%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Rhode Island College (46% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $2,600 more per year than RIC graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,000)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $770 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,200 vs. $21,970)
  • RIC graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($219 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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