University of Northern Colorado vs. UW

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

University of Northern Colorado UW
Location Greeley, CO Laramie, WY
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,067 10,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #334
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu uwyo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado UW
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $4,980
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $20,760
Room & Board $15,230 $13,340
Avg Net Price $19,115 $13,299
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $8,761
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 89%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado UW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 5,644
Admitted 8,880 5,498
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 97.4%
Enrolled % 13.8% 26.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26 21/28
SAT Range 970/1180 1040/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado UW
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado UW
Graduation Rate 46% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $18,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $191

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado UW
% Men 7% 10%
% Women 20% 14%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 76%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 18% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 15% 7%

Students

University of Northern Colorado UW
% In-State 84% 56%
% Out-of-State 15% 40%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado UW
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 Wyoming is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (10,913 students vs. 9,067 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UW Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 86.7% more expensive to attend than UW for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $4,980.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.2% higher at University of Northern Colorado than University of Wyoming ($23,490.00 vs. $20,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wyoming than University of Northern Colorado ($13,299 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 14.2% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($13,340 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Wyoming (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 0.1% larger than aid received University of Wyoming ($8,773 vs. $8,761)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wyoming (1122) is 91 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming UW students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have at the same average high school GPA (3.53) as students at UW (3.53)
  • UW has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UW is higher than University of Northern Colorado (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Wyoming earn on average $6,800 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Wyoming students graduate with a $3,470 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($18,500 vs. $21,970)
  • UW graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($191 vs. $227)
  • More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

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