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University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO · City · 5,598 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,760
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
51%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$52,231
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
86%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Founded as a state normal school, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley is widely recognized as the state’s premier institution for teacher preparation, while also boasting nationally acclaimed programs in musical theatre, jazz studies, nursing, and business. Set on a traditional, mid-sized campus, the student experience is defined by a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere where undergraduates benefit from close faculty mentorship, hands-on research, and NCAA Division I Big Sky athletics. A distinctive hallmark of UNC is its powerhouse performing arts culture, anchored by the internationally renowned annual UNC Jazz Festival and deep roots in creative excellence.

Wikipedia:The University of Northern Colorado is a public university in Greeley, Colorado, United States. It was founded in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado and took on its current name in 1970. Approximately 10,000 students are enrolled in six colleges. Extended campus locations are in Loveland, Denver/Aurora, and Colorado Springs. The university has a long history in teacher education. UNCO's 19 athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Big Sky Conference.

Location
Greeley, CO, 80639 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
DEN · Denver
38 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$12,416$27,266
Housing & food (on campus)$16,154$16,154
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$29,254$44,104 est.
Average net price$17,760Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$27,266
In-state: $12,416
Housing & food (on campus)$16,154
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$44,104 est.
In-state: $29,254
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $17,760
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,695
$30–48k
$13,290
$48–75k
$16,038
$75–110k
$18,441
$110k+
$24,306
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
51%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
38%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
33%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
53% graduated · 34% transferred · 12% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$43,756
10 yrs after entry$52,231
Debt
Median at graduation$20,470
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.7k
90th percentile$31,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
86%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1082
R 490–610 · M 460–580
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 21–26 · E 20–26 · M 17–25
SAT middle 50%: 950–1190
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If University of Northern Colorado asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 33%Women 67%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
14 : 1
Pell grant
26%
First-gen
35%
Family income
$51,738
Independent
17%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
59%
Hispanic
27%
Black
5%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$43,756
After 10 yrs
$52,231
Psychology, General221
Business Administration, Management and Operations171
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods151
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing151
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness104
Criminal Justice and Corrections87
Biology, General64
Human Services, General55
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft53
Communication and Media Studies48
Fine and Studio Arts43
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services37
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas31
Special Education and Teaching30
Economics27
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services26
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$120M
Full-time faculty
57%
Faculty salary
$8,988/mo
Teaching spend
$10,378
per student
Federal loans
37%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$8M research spending · 94 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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