University of Northern Colorado Acceptance Rate
Greeley, Colorado · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 10,274
- Admitted
- 8,880
- Yield
- 13.8%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate has risen from 70.9% in 2014–15 to 86.4% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 7,831 to 10,274 (+31%) over that period.
Its 86.4% rate makes University of Northern Colorado more selective than about 29% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 17 tracked Colorado schools, it is more selective than about 47%.
University of Northern Colorado has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 13.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 7,831 | 5,551 | 70.9% | 1,969 |
| 2015–16 | 7,143 | 6,382 | 89.3% | 2,055 |
| 2016–17 | 6,783 | 6,123 | 90.3% | 2,166 |
| 2017–18 | 7,481 | 6,664 | 89.1% | 2,151 |
| 2018–19 | 8,294 | 7,527 | 90.8% | 1,960 |
| 2019–20 | 9,275 | 8,425 | 90.8% | 1,812 |
| 2020–21 | 9,149 | 8,024 | 87.7% | 1,357 |
| 2021–22 | 10,152 | 9,252 | 91.1% | 1,256 |
| 2022–23 | 10,107 | 7,938 | 78.5% | 1,193 |
| 2023–24 | 10,274 | 8,880 | 86.4% | 1,229 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 6,679 | 5,803 | 86.9% |
| Men | 3,595 | 3,077 | 85.6% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 490–600 | 23% |
| SAT Math | 480–580 | |
| ACT Composite | 17–26 | 4% |
How University of Northern compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate?
University of Northern Colorado's acceptance rate is 86.4% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (8,880 admitted of 10,274 applicants).
Is University of Northern Colorado test optional?
University of Northern Colorado is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Northern Colorado?
University of Northern Colorado received 10,274 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 8,880.
What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Colorado?
Admitted students at University of Northern Colorado typically scored 490–600 on SAT Reading/Writing and 480–580 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Northern Colorado getting harder to get into?
University of Northern Colorado has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 70.9% in 2014–15 to 86.4% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.unco.edu/.