University of Northern Colorado vs. CMU

Deciding between University of Northern Colorado and Central Michigan University? 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.

University of Northern Colorado
Central Michigan University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • CMU Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • CMU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • CMU 14,488
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • CMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • CMU #782
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • CMU -
  • Status
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • CMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • CMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • CMU $14,760
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • CMU $14,760
  • Room & Board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • CMU $12,564
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • CMU $17,575
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • CMU $13,042
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • CMU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • CMU 21,969
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • CMU 19,732
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • CMU 89.8%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • CMU 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • CMU 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • CMU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • CMU 3.47
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • CMU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • CMU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • CMU
  • ACT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • CMU 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • CMU 960/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • CMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • CMU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • CMU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • CMU
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • CMU 54%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • CMU $44,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • CMU 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • CMU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • CMU $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • CMU 39%
  • % Women
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • CMU 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • CMU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • CMU No
  • % White
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • CMU 79%
  • % Asian
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • CMU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • CMU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • CMU 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • CMU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • CMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • CMU 3%
  • % International
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • CMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%
  • CMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • CMU 88%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%
  • CMU 9%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (Small City setting); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Colorado 14:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

University of Northern Colorado vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or CMU? 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 Central Michigan University than University of Northern Colorado ($17,575 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 22.2% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,564 vs. $16,154).
  • Central Michigan University is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northern Colorado (about $2,344 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $12,416.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 84.7% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Central Michigan University (about $12,506 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $14,760.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Central Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 30.5% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($13,042 vs. $9,992).

University of Northern Colorado vs. CMU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 10 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1070).
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at University of Northern Colorado).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 950/1190; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Colorado 21/26; Central Michigan University 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northern Colorado - Test optional; CMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CMU (3.47).
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 11.3% at CMU.

University of Northern Colorado vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Central Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Northern Colorado's (46%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $100 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $5,030 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($21,970 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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.