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UCCS CU Boulder FLC Colorado State Colorado Mesa CU Denver Regis CSU-Pueblo DU Adams State College MSU Metropolitan State College of Denver| University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
| Location | Greeley, CO | Gunnison, CO | ||
| Setting | Small City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,067 | 4,053 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #688 | #757 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | unco.edu | western.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,296 | $7,128 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $23,490 | $19,728 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,230 | $10,442 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,115 | $17,709 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,773 | $7,169 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 92% |
Admission |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
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| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,274 | 3,283 | ||
| Admitted | 8,880 | 3,200 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.4% | 97.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.8% | 13.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.53 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/26 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 970/1180 | 1000/1240 | ||
| 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 | Western State Colorado University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 46% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,600 | $40,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 62% | 61% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,970 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $222 |
Diversity |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
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| % Men | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 20% | 8% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 56% | 75% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 18% | 10% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 15% | 6% |
Students |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
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| % In-State | 84% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 15% | 27% | ||
Campus |
University of Northern Colorado | Western State Colorado University | ||
| 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 Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 4,053 students)
University of Northern Colorado vs. Western State Colorado University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or Western State Colorado University?
- University of Northern Colorado is 30.4% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $7,128.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19.1% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Western State Colorado University ($23,490.00 vs. $19,728.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than University of Northern Colorado ($17,709 vs. $19,115)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 45.9% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,442 vs. $15,230)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Western State Colorado University (94% vs. 92%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 22.4% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($8,773 vs. $7,169)
University of Northern Colorado vs. Western State Colorado University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado or Western State Colorado University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western State Colorado University or University of Northern Colorado .
- The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 67 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
- Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
- Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
- Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than University of Northern Colorado (86.4%)
University of Northern Colorado vs. Western State Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, University of Northern Colorado or Western State Colorado University? 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 Western State Colorado University and University of Northern Colorado.
- The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Western State Colorado University (46% vs. 39%)
- Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $3,800 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,800)
- Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $470 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,500 vs. $21,970)
- Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
- More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/