DU vs. University of Northern Colorado

University of Denver and University of Northern Colorado side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: DU (77.8% admitted vs 85.9%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of Northern Colorado. Average net price is $19,376 vs $45,451 at DU.
  • Graduation: DU 78% vs University of Northern Colorado 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DU $63,400 vs University of Northern Colorado $44,600 (median).
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Key differences

University of Denver University of Northern Colorado
Acceptance rate
DU more selective
DU77.8%
University of Northern Colorado85.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
DU higher
DU1240-1410
University of Northern Colorado950-1190
Average net price
University of Northern Colorado $26,075 less
DU$45,451
University of Northern Colorado$19,376
In-state tuition
University of Northern Colorado $48,982 less
DU$61,398
University of Northern Colorado$12,416
Out-of-state tuition
University of Northern Colorado $34,132 less
DU$61,398
University of Northern Colorado$27,266
Graduation rate
DU +32 pts
DU78%
University of Northern Colorado46%
Median earnings (10 years)
DU +$18,800
DU$63,400
University of Northern Colorado$44,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DU 18,786
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • DU 14,618
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance rate
  • DU 77.8%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DU 9.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DU 1330
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • DU 30
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • DU 3.72
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • DU A-
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DU Very High
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • DU
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • SAT range
  • DU 1240-1410
  • University of Northern Colorado 950-1190
  • ACT range
  • DU 28-33
  • University of Northern Colorado 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • DU Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DU Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DU $61,398
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DU $61,398
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & board
  • DU $17,759
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average net price
  • DU $45,451
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average grant aid
  • DU $33,955
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DU 99%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • DU 78%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DU $63,400
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • DU 72%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DU $23,699
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median loan payment
  • DU $245
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DU 9:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • DU
    • Business (42%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • DU Denver, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • DU Large City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • DU 12,813
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • DU Private 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DU #86
  • University of Northern Colorado #680

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver in Denver, CO with University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Denver is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 8,869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 9% lower than at University of Denver ($16,154 vs. $17,759).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 125.2% higher at DU than at University of Northern Colorado (about $34,132 more per year; $61,398 vs. $27,266).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at University of Northern Colorado (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 239.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($33,955 vs. $9,992).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at DU than at University of Northern Colorado (30 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DU and University of Northern Colorado.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at University of Northern Colorado (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $1,729 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($21,970 vs. $23,699).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($227 vs. $245).
  • More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 62%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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