Colorado State vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between Colorado State University Fort Collins and University of Northern Colorado? 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.

Colorado State University Fort Collins
University of Northern Colorado

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Colorado State Fort Collins, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • Colorado State Midsize City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado State 34,096
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • Colorado State Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Colorado State #354
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Colorado State -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • Colorado State Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Colorado State
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Colorado State $13,373
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Colorado State $34,783
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • Colorado State $16,817
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • Colorado State $21,011
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Colorado State $10,160
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Colorado State 69%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Colorado State 38,465
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • Colorado State 34,057
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Colorado State 88.5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Colorado State 16.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado State 1190
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado State 26
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Colorado State 3.68
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Colorado State B+
  • University of Northern Colorado B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Colorado State Challenging
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Colorado State
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • Colorado State 23/29
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Colorado State 1080/1290
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Colorado State Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
  • University of Northern Colorado Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Colorado State Jul 1, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Colorado State 17:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Colorado State
    • Business (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Colorado State 64%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Colorado State $51,800
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Colorado State 69%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Colorado State $21,004
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Colorado State $217
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Colorado State 42%
  • University of Northern Colorado 26%
  • % Women
  • Colorado State 58%
  • University of Northern Colorado 74%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Colorado State Low
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • Colorado State No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • Colorado State 74%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • Colorado State 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • Colorado State 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Colorado State 11%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • Colorado State 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Colorado State 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Colorado State 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • Colorado State 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Colorado State 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Colorado State 69%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Colorado State 30%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Colorado State vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado than Colorado State ($19,376 vs. $21,011).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 3.9% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,154 vs. $16,817).
  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northern Colorado (about $957 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $12,416.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at Colorado State than at University of Northern Colorado (about $7,517 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $27,266.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (95% vs. 69%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 1.7% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($10,160 vs. $9,992).

Colorado State vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 120 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming Colorado State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at University of Northern Colorado).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); University of Northern Colorado - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53).
  • Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Colorado State vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and University of Northern Colorado? 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).

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Northern Colorado's (46%).
  • Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $966 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($217 vs. $227).
  • More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.