UCCS vs. TU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with Towson University in Towson, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; Towson University 14:1.

UCCS vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or TU? 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 Towson University than UCCS ($16,653 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 20.6% lower than at Towson University ($12,918 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $1,579 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at TU than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $5,484 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs than at Towson University (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 59.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($11,820 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. TU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS or TU? 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 TU and UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 30 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming UCCS students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at TU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 18.2% at TU.

UCCS vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and TU? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than UCCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $3,249 lower median loan debt than UCCS graduates ($17,750 vs. $20,999).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCCS graduates ($183 vs. $217).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCCS students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.