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 9,380 11,100
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #331
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu uwyo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado UW
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $4,800
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $19,950
Room & Board $12,870 $11,610
Avg Net Price $18,310 $12,819
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $8,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado UW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 5,797
Admitted 7,938 5,564
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 96%
Enrolled % 15% 29.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 21/28
SAT Range 990/1200 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 31% 46%
% Women 69% 54%
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 82% 56%
% Out-of-State 17% 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 (11,100 students vs. 9,380 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 82.3% more expensive to attend than UW for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $4,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11% higher at University of Northern Colorado than University of Wyoming ($22,140.00 vs. $19,950.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wyoming than University of Northern Colorado ($12,819 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 10.9% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,610 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than University of Wyoming (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 1.5% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($8,942 vs. $8,813)

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 (96%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

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/