University of Northern Colorado vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Saginaw Valley 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
Saginaw Valley State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Saginaw Valley State University Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Saginaw Valley State University 6,822
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • Saginaw Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Saginaw Valley State University #860
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Saginaw Valley State University -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Saginaw Valley State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • Saginaw Valley State University svsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Saginaw Valley State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Saginaw Valley State University $12,930
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Saginaw Valley State University $30,450
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Saginaw Valley State University $12,340
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Saginaw Valley State University $11,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • Saginaw Valley State University $13,512
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 98%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Saginaw Valley State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Saginaw Valley State University 11,816
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Saginaw Valley State University 8,516
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 72.1%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 16%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Saginaw Valley State University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Saginaw Valley State University 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Saginaw Valley State University 3.48
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Saginaw Valley State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Saginaw Valley State University Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Saginaw Valley State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • Saginaw Valley State University 18/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Saginaw Valley State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Saginaw Valley State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Saginaw Valley State University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Saginaw Valley State University
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Human Services (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 39%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Saginaw Valley State University $41,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 48%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Saginaw Valley State University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • Saginaw Valley State University $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 35%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • Saginaw Valley State University Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • Saginaw Valley State University No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 71%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 2%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • Saginaw Valley State University 3%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Colorado is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

University of Northern Colorado vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than University of Northern Colorado ($11,546 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 23.6% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,340 vs. $16,154).
  • Saginaw Valley State University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northern Colorado (about $514 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $12,416.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at University of Northern Colorado (about $3,184 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $27,266.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at University of Northern Colorado (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 35.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($13,512 vs. $9,992).

University of Northern Colorado vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 20 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

University of Northern Colorado vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado and Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $5,030 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($21,970 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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.