University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU

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

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
Location Greeley, CO Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 9,067 11,628
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #688 #742
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
Tuition (In State) $9,296 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $23,490 $5,000
Room & Board $15,230 $11,764
Avg Net Price $19,115 $12,252
Avg Grant Aid $8,773 $5,442
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 18,183
Admitted 8,880 15,758
Acceptance Rate 86.4% 86.7%
Enrolled % 13.8% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/26 20/26
SAT Range 970/1180 1050/1260
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 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 20% 10%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 79%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 18% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
% In-State 84% 78%
% Out-of-State 15% 19%

Campus

 University of Northern Colorado WCU
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

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 9,067 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado is 829.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 369.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Western Carolina University ($23,490.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than University of Northern Colorado ($12,252 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 29.5% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,764 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of Northern Colorado (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 61.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($8,773 vs. $5,442)

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 1 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • 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)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than University of Northern Colorado (50% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $5,500 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $39,100)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $40 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,970 vs. $22,010)
  • Western Carolina University and University of Northern Colorado graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($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/