University of Northern Colorado vs. Western State Colorado University

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

University of Northern Colorado Western State Colorado University
Location Greeley, CO Gunnison, CO
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 3,548
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #709
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) $8,750 $6,936
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $18,960
Room & Board $12,870 $10,286
Avg Net Price $18,310 $16,672
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $9,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Western State Colorado University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 3,116
Admitted 7,938 2,862
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 91.8%
Enrolled % 15% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 21/29
SAT Range 990/1200 1010/1270
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, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado Western State Colorado University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

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
% Men 31% 49%
% Women 69% 51%
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
% In-State 82% 72%
% Out-of-State 17% 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 (9,380 students vs. 3,548 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 26.2% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Western State Colorado University ($22,140.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than University of Northern Colorado ($16,672 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 25.1% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($10,286 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Western State Colorado University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 4.3% larger than aid received University of Northern Colorado ($9,189 vs. $8,813)

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 (91.8%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

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/