University of Northern Colorado vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

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

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
Location Greeley, CO Spartanburg, SC
Setting Small City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 9,067 4,946
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #776
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu uscupstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $11,208
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $22,170
Room & Board $15,230 $10,040
Avg Net Price $19,115 $13,794
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $10,414
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 97%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 3,557
Admitted 8,880 2,476
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 69.6%
Enrolled % 13.8% 27.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 2.53
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/26 19/25
SAT Range 970/1180 1000/1170
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

Academics

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
Graduation Rate 46% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $232

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 20% 8%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 56%
% Black 4% 29%
% Hispanic 18% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 2%

Students

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
% In-State 84% 89%
% Out-of-State 15% 8%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado University of South Carolina-Upstate
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 University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 4,946 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 20.6% more expensive to attend than University of Northern Colorado for in-state tuition ($11,208.00 vs. $9,296.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6% higher at University of Northern Colorado than University of South Carolina Upstate ($23,490.00 vs. $22,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Upstate than University of Northern Colorado ($13,794 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 51.7% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,040 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than University of Northern Colorado (97% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 18.7% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($10,414 vs. $8,773)

University of Northern Colorado vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 81 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (950)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (69.6%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate (46% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $5,300 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $39,300)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $530 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($21,970 vs. $22,500)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($227 vs. $232)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 55%)

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