University of Northern Colorado vs. UNK

Should I go to University of Northern Colorado or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Northern Colorado or UNK 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

UCCS CU Boulder Colorado State CU Denver WSC Colorado Mesa Regis CSU-Pueblo DU Adams State College UNOMAHA Nebraska
University of Northern Colorado vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
University of Northern Colorado University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Northern Colorado University of Nebraska at Kearney
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
Location Greeley, CO Kearney, NE
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $12,036
Room & Board $12,870 $11,390
Avg Net Price $18,310 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 6,794
Admitted 7,938 5,842
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 86%
Enrolled % 15% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 990/1200 1000/1200
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
Graduation Rate 46% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $227 $219

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
% Men 31% 34%
% Women 69% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 79%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 18% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
% In-State 82% 85%
% Out-of-State 17% 11%

Campus

 University of Northern Colorado UNK
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 UNK based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 6,041 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 40.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.9% higher at University of Northern Colorado than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($22,140.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than University of Northern Colorado ($16,564 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 13% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,390 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 21% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,813 vs. $7,282)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 18 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than University of Northern Colorado (61% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $1,200 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $720 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,250 vs. $21,970)
  • UNK graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($219 vs. $227)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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