University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Western Carolina University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Northern Colorado
Western Carolina University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • WCU #698
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • WCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • WCU $5,993
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • WCU 81%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • WCU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • WCU 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • WCU 1080/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • WCU $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • WCU 41%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • WCU 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • WCU 79%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • WCU 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • WCU 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • WCU 4%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • WCU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • WCU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • WCU 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • WCU 22%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Northern Colorado Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • WCU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or WCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than University of Northern Colorado ($13,767 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 23.5% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,354 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 168.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $7,786 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $4,630.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 215.9% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Western Carolina University (about $18,636 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $8,630.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 66.7% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,992 vs. $5,993).

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and University of Northern Colorado.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 110 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.44).
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than WCU (81.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 12.7% at WCU.

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northern Colorado and WCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Northern Colorado's (46%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $40 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,970 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Western Carolina University and University of Northern Colorado graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($227 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.