University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado · Public · 85.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
The University of Northern Colorado earns a Below Average Value ROI score of 50, sitting near the boundary between Fair and Below Benchmark. In-state tuition of $12,416 (out-of-state $27,266) yields a net price of $17,760 and four-year cost of $71,040. Average earnings six years out are $35,300, growing to a median $52,231 by year ten. Payback period of 12.2 years is acceptable but not strong. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 against median debt of $20,470 is workable. The institution's weak spots are completion (51.2%, scoring 41) and repayment (72.9%, scoring 48). UNC's program mix is the largest single influence on its mediocre score: the school is a teacher-prep specialist, and education degrees produce flat-trajectory earnings. Nursing and business produce B grades, but psychology (221 graduates), kinesiology (104), and drama (53) earn D grades. As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, UNC is a representative regional public with bright spots in healthcare and business and weak outcomes in the arts and behavioral sciences - which dominate enrollment.
University of Northern Colorado
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,416/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $27,266/yr |
| Average net price | $17,760/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $71,040 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,231 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,470 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 51.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,598 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $12,416/year ($27,266/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $17,760/year, or roughly $71,040 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $12,695/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,306/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $20,470, which works out to about $217 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($35,300) and comes to 0.58, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $12,695 net - genuinely affordable, below sticker tuition thanks to Pell and state aid. Four-year cost around $51,000. For Pell-eligible students entering nursing or business, the case is strong. For psychology or kinesiology majors, the math is much weaker even at this low price.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $16,038. The brackets are progressive (no inversions).
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,001+) pay $24,306 - the highest bracket, consistent with a progressive aid formula. Four-year cost approaches $98,000.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Northern Colorado with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $49,455 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $74,278 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $83,712 | B |
| Teacher Education | $45,008 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $52,016 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,282 | C+ |
| Biology | $53,470 | D |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $46,089 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,520 | D |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,502 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology is UNC's largest program with 221 graduates annually - and earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $32,351 against $23,000 debt produce a 0.711 ratio. Earnings recover to $49,455 by year four, reflecting graduates who pursue master's programs or transition to social services. Bachelor's-only psychology rarely produces strong immediate earnings; the high enrollment combined with weak outcomes makes this a major institutional ROI drag.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business is UNC's second-largest program with 171 graduates. First-year earnings of $50,739 climbing to $74,278 by year four. Median debt of $21,125 produces a healthy 0.416 ratio and B ROI grade. Solid Denver-metro placement supports the wages. A clear financial winner within the UNC lineup.
Registered Nursing
Nursing graduates 151 students with first-year earnings of $74,308 climbing to $83,712 by year four. Median debt of $26,000 yields a 0.35 ratio and B ROI grade - one of the best at UNC. The program leverages Colorado's strong healthcare market and steady RN demand. A standout choice for ROI-conscious students.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 151 students - tied with nursing for UNC's second-largest program. First-year earnings of $40,614 stagnate to just $45,008 by year four, reflecting the flat K-12 pay-scale trajectory. Median debt of $25,906 produces a 0.638 ratio and C ROI grade. UNC's teaching tradition serves a public mission well; the financial reward is modest. Students should expect stable but unspectacular earnings.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 104 students annually with first-year earnings of $33,952 against $24,500 debt - a 0.722 ratio and D ROI grade. Earnings climb to $52,016 by year four for graduates who pursue PT, OT, or athletic training certifications. Without that follow-on credential, the bachelor's struggles to produce meaningful earnings. Treat as pre-professional, not a terminal degree.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 67.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 70.9% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Northern Colorado’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 85.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 460-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-26 |
| Enrollment | 5,598 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,988 |
UNC admits 85.9% of applicants - effectively non-selective. SAT mid-ranges are 460-580 Math and 490-610 Reading, with ACT 21-26. The 51% completion rate is consistent with this profile: open admission combined with modest academic readiness produces a coin-flip graduation outcome. Students with strong high school records who choose UNC for cost or program reasons tend to finish at much higher rates than the institution-wide number suggests.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Colorado (this school) | 50 | $17,760 | $52,231 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 76 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| Augusta University | 54 | $13,787 | $48,472 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 53 | $20,787 | $55,246 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Adams State University | 29 | $12,980 | $44,372 |
Who Thrives Here
UNC fits Colorado students seeking affordable in-state public tuition, particularly those targeting teaching, nursing, or business careers. Enrollment of 5,598 is moderate. Pell rate of 26.2% is moderate-low. The data is sharply bimodal on fit: nursing (B grade), business (B), economics (C+), and criminal justice (C+) all produce defensible outcomes; psychology, kinesiology, drama, and the broader liberal arts produce weak earnings against meaningful debt. UNC's high concentration of education majors keeps the school-wide earnings number modest because teacher pay is structurally flat.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Northern Colorado is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $17,760 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $52,231 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 51.2% graduation rate.
Median debt of $20,470 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $35,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
University of Northern Colorado: Common Questions
Is University of Northern Colorado worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of Northern Colorado scores 50/100 on our ROI scale. At $17,760 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $52,231 ten years after entry, so it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does University of Northern Colorado cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $17,760 a year, or roughly $71,040 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of Northern Colorado graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $52,231 ten years after enrolling, roughly $10,431 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of Northern Colorado?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 12.2 years for University of Northern Colorado. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Northern Colorado graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $20,470, against average earnings of $35,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado?
The six-year graduation rate is 51.2%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.