University of Northern Colorado Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Greeley, CO · Public · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 86% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 490–610 reading and writing, 460–580 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 21–26 composite
  • Average net price: $19,115 a year (2022–23)
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Add a test score to compare it with what University of Northern Colorado reported: an acceptance rate of 86% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 21–26.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Northern Colorado reviews each application.

University of Northern Colorado GPA requirements

University of Northern Colorado requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and University of Northern Colorado hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

University of Northern Colorado acceptance rate

University of Northern Colorado admitted 9,553 of 11,127 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 86%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Northern Colorado is a public 4-year university in Greeley, Colorado, with 6,480 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Northern Colorado in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing490550610
SAT Math460520580
ACT Composite212426
ACT English202326
ACT Math172225
22% submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores, as University of Northern Colorado reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1082 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Northern Colorado looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Considered if submitted
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Considered if submitted
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Northern Colorado's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Northern Colorado awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $19,115 a year at University of Northern Colorado in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have a chance at the University of Northern Colorado with a 3.0 GPA?

GPA alone can't tell you here. University of Northern Colorado admitted 86% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

What is the acceptance rate at the University of Northern Colorado?

University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate was 86% for fall 2024: it admitted 9,553 of 11,127 first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Is it easy to get into the University of Northern Colorado?

For most prepared students, yes: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Northern Colorado admitted 86% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What are the University of Northern Colorado's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of University of Northern Colorado's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 490–610 in reading and writing and 460–580 in math; ACT composite 21–26, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

What GPA does the University of Northern Colorado look for?

University of Northern Colorado requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Northern Colorado?

Check University of Northern Colorado's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of Northern Colorado was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 22% sent SAT scores and 3% sent ACT scores.

How much does GPA matter at the University of Northern Colorado?

A lot: University of Northern Colorado requires high school GPA and high school record. It considers high school class rank, college preparatory program, recommendations, essay or personal statement and test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What do students pay at the University of Northern Colorado after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $19,115 a year at University of Northern Colorado in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does the University of Northern Colorado look at legacy status?

No. University of Northern Colorado doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does the University of Northern Colorado give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of Northern Colorado awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check the University of Northern Colorado's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: University of Northern ColoradoU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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