At $18,457/yr net price, University of Northern Colorado graduates earn $52,231/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,231/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,457 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,828 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,231/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,231/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,470 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,505/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,864/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,792/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,842/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,647/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $93,076 | $54,990 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $68,219 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $64,493 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,688 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,995 | $18,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $57,318 | $73,745 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $50,231 | $29,494 |
| Biology, General. | Master | $48,849 | $27,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $48,198 | $52,374 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,738 | $33,881 |
The Risk Factor
51.3% of students at University of Northern Colorado graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The University of Northern Colorado gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. You pay about $18,457 a year and end up earning $52,231 a decade after enrolling, with median debt of $20,470. That debt is manageable against those earnings, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner here. You graduate earning close to $58,000 with the lowest relative debt load of the top programs, which puts your loan payments in easy reach. Greeley and the wider Front Range have steady hospital and clinic demand, so this degree translates directly into work.
The rest of the list is thinner. Chemistry pays around $46,000 but comes with the heaviest debt of the bunch at $26,000, so your return per borrowed dollar is weak. Business Administration lands near $45,000 with moderate debt. Mathematics pays less at roughly $40,000, but its debt is the lowest on the list, so the math still works in your favor. Economics is the softest option, paying under $39,000 while carrying nearly $20,000 in debt.
The real risk is finishing. Only about half of you graduate, and just 74% return after year one. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. That failure rate is the biggest threat to your return, more than tuition.
This school fits you if you want nursing or another health or applied field and you finish. If you come from a family earning under $30,000, your net price drops to about $14,505, which makes the bet safer. If you're aiming at economics or an undecided humanities path, weigh cheaper options or a program with better completion odds before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Northern Colorado worth the cost?
University of Northern Colorado offers mixed value with a net price of $18,457 and 10-year earnings of $52,231. The relatively low graduation rate of 51% means many students don't finish, making the investment riskier than higher-performing schools.
What are the best paying majors at University of Northern Colorado?
Nursing programs at University of Northern Colorado lead to strong earnings, with some graduates earning over $90,000. Communication disorders and educational administration also show solid returns, while other programs may struggle to justify the cost.
How much debt do University of Northern Colorado graduates have?
University of Northern Colorado graduates leave with a median debt of $20,470, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with 10-year earnings around $52,000, debt-to-income ratios vary significantly by major.
Does University of Northern Colorado have good financial aid?
University of Northern Colorado's net price of $18,457 suggests decent financial aid for a public university. The key concern is the 51% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.