University of Northern Colorado Acceptance Rate & Tuition
University of Northern Colorado is a public research university in Greeley, Colorado, serving roughly 5,598 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 85.85% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $52,231 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $12,416
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,760 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 85.85% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,598 91.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 51.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 35.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 6.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 5.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 56.6%
- Average SAT Score: 1082
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,075
- Applicants (IPEDS): 10,274
- Room & Board: $16,154 annual estimate
University of Northern Colorado: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Northern Colorado, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO (ZIP 80639).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is University of Northern Colorado public or private?
University of Northern Colorado is a Public institution.
How much does University of Northern Colorado cost?
Published tuition: $12,416 in-state, $27,266 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,760.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,695 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,290 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,038 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,441 |
| $110,001+ | $24,306 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $49,664.
How hard is it to get into University of Northern Colorado?
Admission rate: 85.85%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1082 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Northern Colorado?
Total enrollment: 5,598 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,075 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,389 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado?
150%-time completion rate: 51.24%.
First-year retention: 75.8%.
What do graduates of University of Northern Colorado earn?
Median earnings: $43,756 six years after entry; $52,231 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,470.
26.18% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Northern Colorado known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (262 completions)
- Psychology, General (176 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (163 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (158 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (129 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (101 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (100 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (88 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (72 completions)
- Music, General (65 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Northern Colorado a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 85.85%; completion rate 51.24%; median earnings $52,231 at 10 years; net price $17,760. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$12,416
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Northern Colorado was $12,416.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,760
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Northern Colorado had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,760.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$71,040 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,760 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$49,664 4-Year In-State Tuition
$109,064 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,154 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$29,770 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$119,080 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Northern Colorado.
Financial Aid by Income Level
26.18% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
36.52% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Northern Colorado was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Northern Colorado in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,968 | $18,507 | $16,679 |
| 2014 | $7,733 | $19,277 | $16,852 |
| 2015 | $8,166 | $19,752 | $18,946 |
| 2016 | $8,888 | $20,474 | $19,387 |
| 2017 | $9,546 | $21,132 | $20,367 |
| 2018 | $9,918 | $21,786 | $14,230 |
| 2019 | $9,987 | $22,245 | $15,714 |
| 2020 | $10,062 | $22,320 | $15,570 |
| 2021 | $10,666 | $23,785 | $16,075 |
| 2022 | $11,332 | $24,722 | $17,465 |
| 2023 | $12,010 | $26,204 | $18,457 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
85.85% Acceptance Rate
10,274 Total Applicants
8,880 Students Admitted
1,229 First-Time Students Enrolled
13.84% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1082
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Northern Colorado reported total enrollment of about 5,598 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 33% male and 67% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (26.7%), and Two or More Races (5.2%). About 26.18% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Northern Colorado in 2024 is 5,598 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 7,075 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,389 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 59.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
37.96% 100% Completion Time
51.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 37.96% of students graduating from University of Northern Colorado completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 48% male / 52% female
- Psychology, General: 19% male / 81% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 15% male / 85% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Northern Colorado.
Return on Investment
$20,470 Median Student Debt
$52,231 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
39.19% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
635.23% Return on Investment
3.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Northern Colorado.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 78 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 262 completions
2. Psychology, General: 176 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 163 completions
4. Special Education and Teaching, General: 158 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 129 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 101 completions
7. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 100 completions
8. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 88 completions
9. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 72 completions
Most popular programs at University of Northern Colorado.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Northern Colorado graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Northern Colorado from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 56.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,988
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,378
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, CO, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 5,598 students. Student body composition includes White (59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (26.7%), Two or More Races (5.2%). The admission rate is 85.85%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1082. The 150%-time completion rate is 51.24%. Approximately 26.18% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Greeley, CO 80639
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 78 distinct degree programs, University of Northern Colorado provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Northern Colorado located?
University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO.
What is University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Northern Colorado is 85.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 10,274 applicants and 8,880 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Northern Colorado cost?
Reported tuition is $12,416 and average net price is $17,760 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,154 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado reports undergraduate enrollment of about 7,075 students, White (59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (26.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Northern Colorado?
About 35.2% of students at University of Northern Colorado are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Northern Colorado?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Northern Colorado reports midpoint SAT about 1082 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of University of Northern Colorado earn?
Median earnings are $43,756 six years after entry and $52,231 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado?
The 150%-time completion rate is 51.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Northern Colorado students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,470.
Is University of Northern Colorado public or private?
University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, CO.
Is University of Northern Colorado an HBCU?
No. University of Northern Colorado is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Northern Colorado a tribal college?
No. University of Northern Colorado is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- Greeley, Colorado city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.