University of Northern Colorado vs. Western Colorado University

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

University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Northern Colorado (85.9% admitted vs 99.7%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Colorado University. Average net price is $17,711 vs $19,376 at University of Northern Colorado.
  • Graduation: University of Northern Colorado 46% vs Western Colorado University 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of Northern Colorado $44,600 vs Western Colorado University $40,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Northern Colorado Western Colorado University
Acceptance rate
University of Northern Colorado more selective
University of Northern Colorado85.9%
Western Colorado University99.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Colorado University higher
University of Northern Colorado950-1190
Western Colorado University1163-1353
Average net price
Western Colorado University $1,665 less
University of Northern Colorado$19,376
Western Colorado University$17,711
In-state tuition
Western Colorado University $1,098 less
University of Northern Colorado$12,416
Western Colorado University$11,318
Out-of-state tuition
Western Colorado University $2,832 less
University of Northern Colorado$27,266
Western Colorado University$24,434
Graduation rate
University of Northern Colorado +7 pts
University of Northern Colorado46%
Western Colorado University39%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Northern Colorado +$3,800
University of Northern Colorado$44,600
Western Colorado University$40,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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Check my chances at University of Northern Colorado Check my chances at Western Colorado University
  • Admission chances
  • University of Northern Colorado My Chances
  • Western Colorado University My Chances
  • Applied
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Western Colorado University 3,119
  • Admitted
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Western Colorado University 3,110
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Western Colorado University 99.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Western Colorado University 11.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Western Colorado University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Western Colorado University 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Western Colorado University 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Western Colorado University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Western Colorado University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Western Colorado University
  • SAT range
  • University of Northern Colorado 950-1190
  • Western Colorado University 1163-1353
  • ACT range
  • University of Northern Colorado 21-26
  • Western Colorado University 22-26
  • Submit test scores
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Western Colorado University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Western Colorado University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Western Colorado University $11,318
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Western Colorado University $24,434
  • Room & board
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Western Colorado University $10,760
  • Average net price
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Western Colorado University $17,711
  • Average grant aid
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • Western Colorado University $8,425
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Western Colorado University 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Western Colorado University 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Western Colorado University $40,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Western Colorado University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Western Colorado University $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • Western Colorado University $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Western Colorado University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Western Colorado University
    • Business (28%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO
  • Setting
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Western Colorado University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Western Colorado University 3,568
  • Type
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • Western Colorado University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Western Colorado University #1026

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Colorado is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (8,869 students vs. 3,568 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 33.4% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($10,760 vs. $16,154).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Western Colorado University (about $2,832 more per year; $27,266 vs. $24,434).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Western Colorado University (95% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 18.6% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($9,992 vs. $8,425).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Western Colorado University than at University of Northern Colorado (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of Northern Colorado and Western Colorado University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Northern Colorado average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Western Colorado University (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at University of Northern Colorado vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $470 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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 Colorado University students, three years after graduation (62% vs. 61%).

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

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