Tour Tuesday: University of Northern Colorado
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this campus tour series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground! I recently spent a week in Colorado visiting over 10 schools in Colorado and Wyoming, so you’ll be seeing many of those schools first.
University of Northern Colorado: Community Roots, Big Opportunities, and a Personal Campus Experience
Overview
Set in Greeley, Colorado - a growing city of about 100,000 - the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) offers a welcoming, community-centered college experience. Greeley itself has a fun small-city vibe, with events like Friday Fest downtown, where streets close for live music and activities each week. Families will appreciate that UNC is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, scores 5 out of 5 on the LGBT ally scale, and reflects the diversity of Colorado.
The student body includes about 8,700 undergraduates, with:
44% first-generation students
28% Hispanic students
38% students of color overall
84% Colorado residents
UNC feels grounded in its local community, but offers academic and student-life opportunities that stretch far beyond.
Quick Look
Location: Greeley, Colorado – 100K population, Friday Fest downtown, fastest-growing city in Colorado
Students: ~8,700 undergrads; 44% first-gen; 28% Hispanic; 38% students of color
Popular Programs: Education (teacher licensure before graduation), Nursing (#54 in U.S.), Accounting, Performing & Visual Arts (Steinway school), ASL program
Student Life Highlights: D1 sports (football, basketball, volleyball, baseball), cultural/resource centers, pet-friendly housing, disc golf course on campus
Athletics: Football is modest, but basketball & volleyball are well-attended
Study Abroad: Opportunities across majors; strong support
Cost (2024–25 est.): $28K (CO resident), $33.5K (WUE), $43K (non-resident); merit $1K–$8K/year depending on GPA & residency
Who Thrives Here: Students seeking a supportive, community-oriented environment with strong professional prep in teaching, health, and the arts
Location
Greeley is the #1 fastest-growing city in Colorado, and it shows in the energy on and off campus. Students enjoy a mix of local flavor - coffee shops like Coco’s are popular hangouts - and quick access to the Front Range for outdoor adventures. On tours, families will sometimes notice that “campus smells a little bit like a farm”. It’s part of Greeley’s agricultural heritage.
Admissions Information
UNC is moderately selective, with a middle 50% GPA range of 3.1–3.9. The retention rate is 76%, reflecting the school’s support for students from a variety of academic backgrounds. Some programs do require extra steps, such as the Visual and Performing Arts programs, the honors college, and certain scholarship applications.
A nice detail: if your student’s GPA goes up after applying, you can contact admissions to request reconsideration for a higher scholarship level.
Academic & Major Information
UNC has a proud reputation as a teaching and research institution. Its six colleges include:
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Natural and Health Sciences
College of Performing and Visual Arts
College of Business
(Coming soon) College of Osteopathic Medicine – with reserved seats set aside for UNC grads!
Standout programs include:
Education – Students are licensed as teachers before graduation, one of UNC’s historic strengths.
Nursing – Ranked in the top 100 nursing programs in the U.S. (#54 currently).
Accounting – Highly respected program with strong job placement.
Performing and Visual Arts – UNC is a Steinway School with a national reputation in theatre and music.
ASL program – One of the strongest in the region.
Other academic highlights:
73% of classes have fewer than 30 students (largest lectures cap around 150).
R2 research classification, with unique opportunities like the on-campus snake lab.
91% job/grad school placement rate after graduation.
A highly rated Honors Program for motivated students.
Student Life
UNC has a vibrant and inclusive student culture. Students can join 100+ organizations, cultural and resource centers, and professional clubs (UNC often pays for students to attend conferences!).
Athletics: UNC is Division I and offers baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, and more. Football may not dominate, but games are still well-attended, and basketball and volleyball draw enthusiastic crowds. The baseball and softball fields sit just off campus, and there’s even a disc golf course on campus for casual play.
Greek life has a presence, and traditions like theatre performances and Friday Fest downtown connect students to both campus and the Greeley community.
Housing & Dining
Freshmen are required to live on campus, with four different housing levels and 13 learning communities, including options like honors housing and even pet-friendly dorms (dogs and cats under 40 pounds are allowed).
Other housing perks:
Nearly all residence halls have air conditioning.
Students who apply for housing by January 31 get priority in choosing their space.
Over 10 dining locations on campus, including two food trucks.
The meal exchange program lets students use swipes at spots like the campus burger bar.
Parking is affordable at $300 per year.
Cost & Scholarships
For the 2024–2025 academic year, estimated direct costs (tuition, fees, housing, and food) are:
Colorado Residents: $28,109
WUE Students: $33,568
Non-Residents/International: $42,959
First-Year Scholarships (Per Year, Based on GPA):
4.0+ GPA: CO $4,500 | WUE $6,000 | Non-Resident $8,000
3.80–3.99 GPA: CO $3,500 | WUE $5,000 | Non-Resident $7,000
3.40–3.79 GPA: CO $2,000 | WUE $3,500 | Non-Resident $5,500
3.00–3.39 GPA: CO $1,000 | WUE $2,500 | Non-Resident $4,500
Good to know: scholarships are renewable and can increase if a student improves their GPA before starting.
Fun Facts & Traditions
UNC does a land acknowledgement at info sessions, reflecting its focus on inclusivity.
The campus is split into “East” and “Central”, giving students a mix of old and new campus vibes.
Students rave about the Winter Carnival, athletics events, and cultural festivals.
Final Thoughts
The University of Northern Colorado offers a community-oriented campus where diversity, inclusion, and student success are front and center. It’s especially strong for students interested in teaching, nursing, the arts, or business, and with the upcoming medical school, even more health-related opportunities are opening up.
Families who want a supportive environment, accessible costs, and a close-knit student body will find UNC a great fit. With strong placement rates, inclusive traditions, and a mix of Colorado charm and career prep, UNC helps students take root and thrive.
