University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO 80639
About University of Northern Colorado
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 findings
- University of Northern Colorado charges about 2.3× the national public median tuition ($12,416).
- Versus the Colorado median, sticker tuition is 25% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 51.24%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $52,231.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at University of Northern Colorado is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 635% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
University of Northern Colorado awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 78 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Colorado | $12,416 | $17,760 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Colorado (state median) | $9,958 | $12,045 | 43 |
| Suburban (locale median) | $13,135 | $18,048 | 684 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is University of Northern Colorado really?
Key findings
- University of Northern Colorado charges about 2.3× the national public median tuition ($12,416).
- Versus the Colorado median, sticker tuition is 25% above.
University of Northern Colorado tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $12,416
Finding University of Northern Colorado charges about 2.3× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $12,416. That is about 2.3× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Colorado median ($9,958), sticker tuition is 25% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 4% above.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at University of Northern Colorado versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at University of Northern Colorado versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at University of Northern Colorado is $17,760.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $17,760 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $5,715 above the Colorado median net price. Versus suburban campuses, net price runs $288 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At University of Northern Colorado, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
University of Northern Colorado: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for University of Northern Colorado—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$12,416
Out-of-state tuition
$27,266
Avg. net price
$17,760
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $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. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What University of Northern Colorado is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General262
- Psychology, General176
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse163
- Special Education and Teaching, General158
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology129
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 14% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1082
- Midpoint ACT: 23
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is University of Northern Colorado a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
University of Northern Colorado is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for University of Northern Colorado.
Campus
Location
Greeley, CO
City / state
- ZIP
- 80639
- NCES locale
- Suburb
Compared with Suburban campuses nationally, net price is 2% below the median for Suburban campuses ($18,048 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Rocky Mountains
- Carnegie
- Doctoral/Professional Universities
Size
Enrollment
5,598
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 7,075
- Graduate
- 2,389
- Full-time share
- 92%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$20,470
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 26.18%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for University of Northern Colorado.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
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.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1082 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 23 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.20
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
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
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
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
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
University of Northern Colorado graduates earn a median of $52,231 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of University of Northern Colorado.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $52,231. Median federal loan debt: $20,470. Average net price used in cost models: $17,760.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway University of Northern Colorado graduates report median earnings of $52,231 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for University of Northern Colorado.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (78 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at University of Northern Colorado.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for University of Northern Colorado graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for University of Northern Colorado—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$112.4M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Colorado median 7.1× the median ($15.8M)
- Rocky Mountains median 5.8× the median ($19.5M)
- U.S. median 4.3× the median ($26.4M)
- Colorado median 2.5× the median ($5,882)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.5× the median ($10,274)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 56.6%
- Colorado median 11.3 pp below median (67.9%)
- Rocky Mountains median 16.7 pp below median (73.3%)
- U.S. median 1.4 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,988
- Colorado median 1.2× the median ($7,318)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.2× the median ($7,458)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,378
- Colorado median 1.5× the median ($6,731)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.5× the median ($6,852)
- U.S. median 1.4× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
University of Northern Colorado at a glance
University of Northern Colorado
University of Northern Colorado is a public institution in Greeley, CO, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralPsychology, GeneralRegistered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian59.1%Hispanic or Latino26.7%Two or More Races5.2%
Schools near University of Northern Colorado
Other campuses in Greeley, CO when available, plus nearby institutions in Colorado.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Colorado, then by similar ownership and admissions.
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.
What is University of Northern Colorado's tuition?
University of Northern Colorado tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $12,416 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $17,760 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
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 explains University of Northern Colorado's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($17,760), completion (51.2% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($52,231). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
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.
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
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 Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.