University of Northern Colorado vs. Salem State University

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

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
Location Greeley, CO Salem, MA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,380 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $7,050
Room & Board $12,870 $14,954
Avg Net Price $18,310 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 5,093
Admitted 7,938 4,719
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 92.7%
Enrolled % 15% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27
SAT Range 990/1200 986/1210
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 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
Graduation Rate 46% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $248

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
% Men 31% 31%
% Women 69% 69%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 68%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 18% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 15% 2%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Salem State University
% In-State 82% 90%
% Out-of-State 17% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 6,539 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 861.5% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 214% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Salem State University ($22,140.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Northern Colorado than Salem State University ($18,310 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 16.2% lower than costs at Salem State University ($12,870 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 2.9% larger than aid received Salem State University ($8,813 vs. $8,562)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Salem State University (46% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $200 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $44,400)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $2,030 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($21,970 vs. $24,000)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($227 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University 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/