University of Northern Colorado is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Greeley, Colorado. It enrolls 5,598 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes40
Value59
Affordability47
Selectivity32
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 85.9%, University of Northern Colorado is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
85.9%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
950 – 1190
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
21 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Northern Colorado is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
4.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Northern Colorado isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $17,760 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$17,760
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
26%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
37%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$12,416
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$27,266
Room & Board (on-campus)
$16,154
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,254
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,710
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,710
Total Cost of Attendance
$29,254
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,695
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,290
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,038
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,441
Over $110,000
$24,306
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$20,470Medianpercentile
$23,74175%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,670
↓ $5,800
No Pell $12,500
↓ $7,970
Dependent students $13,200
↓ $7,270
Independent students $15,939
↓ $4,531
Female students $13,500
↓ $6,970
Male students $14,000
↓ $6,470
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,500, less than completers ($20,470), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
55% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Northern Colorado graduate within six years, and 75% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
55%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Northern Colorado earn a median of $52,231 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$52,231
Earning > $25K
80%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$42,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$54,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$44,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$46,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$49,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $12,400, about 23% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
18.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 86% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Northern Colorado is home to 5,598 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 35% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
5,598
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
35%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 59.1%3,309
Hispanic 26.7%1,497
Other 5.6%315
Black 4.6%259
Asian 2.1%118
International 1.3%71
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Northern Colorado. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityGreeley, Colorado
Housing
Mostly residential3,542 beds on campus
Adult Learners
11%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
University of Northern Colorado offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
86 distinct programs across
20 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northern Colorado is 14:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
14:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$13,289
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$112M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$78,495
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
390 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
162
42%
$93,598
Associate Professors
101
26%
$73,423
Assistant Professors
87
22%
$66,225
Instructors
12
3%
$57,000
Lecturers
28
7%
$56,743
Pros & Cons of University of Northern Colorado
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Northern Colorado tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Below-average completion rate
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Northern Colorado is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Northern Colorado
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Northern Colorado.
Is University of Northern Colorado hard to get into?
University of Northern Colorado has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 85.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado has an acceptance rate of 85.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Colorado?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Northern Colorado scored between 950 and 1190 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Northern Colorado?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Northern Colorado scored between 21 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Northern Colorado cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Northern Colorado is $17,760 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Northern Colorado worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $52,231 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $17,760 per year. That's roughly 2.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Northern Colorado known for?
University of Northern Colorado is best known for its programs in Psychology, Business Administration, Special Education. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Northern Colorado graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Northern Colorado are $52,231, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Northern Colorado accredited?
Yes. University of Northern Colorado is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado enrolls 5,598 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado graduates 55% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Northern Colorado a public or private college?
University of Northern Colorado is a Public institution.
Where is University of Northern Colorado located?
University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado.
What programs does University of Northern Colorado offer?
University of Northern Colorado offers 86 distinct programs. The most popular include Psychology, Business Administration, Special Education.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northern Colorado?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Northern Colorado is 14:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Colorado
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