What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Colorado?

University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate is approximately 86% (Greeley, CO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Colorado?

Admitted students at University of Northern Colorado typically score 950–1190 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does University of Northern Colorado cost?

At University of Northern Colorado, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,760 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend University of Northern Colorado?

University of Northern Colorado enrolls approximately 5,598 undergraduate students.

Where is University of Northern Colorado located?

University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO.

University of Northern Colorado: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, COpublicunco.edu

Acceptance

86%

SAT 25–75

950–1190

Avg net price

$17,760

Earnings (10 yr)

$52,231

Graduation rate

51%

Admit rate has ranged 79%–91% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public university in Greeley, CO, known for its accessible admissions, strong programs in health professions and education, and a tight-knit campus culture. With an acceptance rate hovering around 90%, UNC offers a practical, hands-on education across 200+ programs, though its graduation rates lag behind national averages. Its affordability and focus on student engagement make it a solid choice for Colorado students seeking a supportive, mid-sized university experience.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 5,598
In-state tuition: $12,416
Out-of-state tuition: $27,266
Acceptance Rate: 89-93.5%
On-Campus Housing: 38% of students
Most Popular Majors: Health Professions, Education, Psychology, Business
6-Year Graduation Rate: 51%
Undergraduate Programs: 200+
Median Earnings After 1 Year: $36,427
Students Receiving Financial Aid: 94%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $52,231
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.9×
Median debt at graduation: $20,470
Graduation rate: 51%
First-year retention: 76%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 62%
Pell (lower-income) share: 55%
First-generation share: 35%
Endowment / student: $21,403

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,995
Chemistry$46,087
Business Administration, Management and Operations$45,665
Mathematics$40,458
Economics$38,289
Special Education and Teaching$38,018

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 4
Per 1,000 students: 0.71

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 68
Summer high: 87°F
Winter low: 19°F
Annual rain: 15.9"
Annual snow: 33.1"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 175
Scholarly works: 9,120

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.0%
Bottom → top quintile: 23%
From bottom quintile: 4%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Colorado?: University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate is approximately 86% (Greeley, CO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Colorado?: Admitted students at University of Northern Colorado typically score 950–1190 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Northern Colorado cost?: At University of Northern Colorado, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,760 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Northern Colorado?: University of Northern Colorado enrolls approximately 5,598 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Northern Colorado located?: University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, CO.

Admissions

UNC is one of the most accessible public universities in Colorado, with an consistently between 89-93.5% — far above the national average. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 960-1170 on the SAT or 21-26 on the ACT, though submissions of Advanced Placement (AP) credits are accepted. Applications are rolling, with a regular deadline of August 1, and the admissions office emphasizes a that considers potential beyond test scores. Contact options include a toll-free number (888-700-4862) and email (admissions@unco.edu).