University of Northern Colorado vs. UTC

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

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
Location Greeley, CO Chattanooga, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 9,067 11,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #815
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu utc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $8,232
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $16,296
Room & Board $15,230 $10,052
Avg Net Price $19,115 $13,801
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $9,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 9,096
Admitted 8,880 7,006
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 77%
Enrolled % 13.8% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26 20/25
SAT Range 970/1180 1005/1185
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
Graduation Rate 46% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $20,792
Median Loan Payment $227 $214

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
% Men 7% 5%
% Women 20% 8%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 75%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 18% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

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

Campus

 University of Northern Colorado UTC
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

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,380 students vs. 9,067 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UTC Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 12.9% more expensive to attend than UTC for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $8,232.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.1% higher at University of Northern Colorado than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ($23,490.00 vs. $16,296.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga than University of Northern Colorado ($13,801 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are 51.5% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,052 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students is 12.1% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($9,834 vs. $8,773)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UTC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1087) is 56 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than UTC (77%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (46% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $4,000 more per year than UTC graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,600)
  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students graduate with a $1,178 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($20,792 vs. $21,970)
  • UTC graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($214 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

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