Tuition & Fees
Deciding to go to college is a big step—one that can transform your life. A college education opens doors, builds confidence and creates opportunities you never imagined possible.
We believe a world-class education should be within reach for every student, regardless of background. When you invest in your education, you’re investing in your potential and the future you want to create.
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Resident Undergraduate
Find out more about the costs for Resident Undergraduate per semester at UNC.
Nonresident/ International Undergraduate
Find out more about the costs for Nonresident Undergraduate per semester at UNC.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Find out more about the costs for Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program per semester at UNC.
Resident Graduate
Find out more about the costs for Resident Graduate per semester at UNC.
Nonresident/ International Graduate
Find out more about the costs for the Nonresident/International Graduate per semester at UNC.
Extended Campus
Find out more about the costs for Extended Campus per credit hour at UNC.
Frequently Asked Question
It depends on many variables. Start on this page where you can see a breakdown by credit hour, resident/nonresident, undergraduate and graduate, other fees and room and board.
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) tuition rate is determined by the Board of Trustees (BOT) after reviewing recommendations from the President and administration.
The Board’s policy on the Tuition and Fee Process states that:
1-1-203(1) President Duties and Responsibilities. The President shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities, as well as others as may be assigned by the BOT from time to time:
(k) recommend to the BOT the establishment of tuition and fees;
Tuition and mandatory enrollment fees are discussed annually by the Board, at the Finance and Audit Committee meeting in February and officially approved with the fiscal year budget in June. When setting tuition and fees, the Board considers a number of factors, including the desire to provide access to degree programs, create a diverse student body, maintain strong degree programs at every level, and develop and maintain the human and physical infrastructure necessary to support UNC’s educational outcome goals.
Undergraduate Questions
An in-state student enrolled in 15 credit hours per semester will pay $4,682.25 per semester during the 2025-26 academic year (after a College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend has been applied – more about COF below). A nonresident student enrolled in 15 credit hours will pay $12,545.25 a semester.
All students pay a student activity fee ($69.12 per credit hour up to 10 credit hours per semester), Leadership for Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) fee ($1.00 per credit hour up to 10 credit hours per semester), capital fee ($56.48 per credit hour up to 10 credit hours per semester) and technology fee ($14.50 per credit hour).
Student Services Fee:
- Student services and support are funded by this portion of the Student Fees.
The services funded include, but are not limited to:- Athletic Events
- Asian Pacific-American Student Services
- Performing Arts Events
- Student Clubs & Organizations
- César Chávez Cultural Center
- Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
- Student Government Association
- Marcus Garvey Cultural Center
- Club Sports
- Native American Student Services
- Outdoor Pursuits
- UNC Counseling Center
- Catalyst Social Justice Retreat
- Student Newspaper – The Mirror
- International Film Series
- Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Office of Global Engagement
- University Program Council
- Campus Bike Program
- Bear Bus/Boomerang
- Campus Recreation Center
- Office of Health Promotion
- Graduate Student Association
- Office of Student Engagement
- LEAF Fee: The Student Leadership for Environmental Action Fund (Student LEAF) is intended to move the campus community toward a sustainability-minded culture. This fund finances environmental improvements in campus infrastructure and educational initiatives. Student LEAF is managed by a committee led by students, staff and faculty representation. A student fee of $1 per credit hour up to 10 credit hours each semester (up to $20 per a traditional academic year) sustains the fund. The savings generated from the projects are being reinvested in ways that are directly visible to the student body. To be eligible, projects must seek to improve campus resource efficiency, strengthen the community, and provide practical career experiences for students. For example, a project might be proposed to fund and/or include academic involvement in developing a highly efficient irrigation system.
- Technology Fee: Used for equipping new smart classrooms, staffing and maintaining computer labs, and providing students access to academic software.
- Capital: The Student Capital Fee supports bonded facility debt service and facility operations as well as capital repair and replacement. Per credit hour charges are assessed for credits enrolled in from 1 through 10.
There are assessment, course, participation and supervision fees depending on the course. Courses that charge these fees cost more to deliver either because of required consumables (e.g., lab materials), field trips, individualized instruction (e.g., clinical supervision for Nursing students, student teaching for teacher candidates). There are also program fees which augment funding of the delivery of high-cost programs (Music, Theatre, and Art in CPVA and the Nursing Program in NHS). Expenses covered include, but are not limited to, supplies, repair and replacement of instruments, equipment.
Differential tuition covers non-liberal arts core courses in Sciences/SES/Art, Business, Nursing, Music, Theatre and Dance. It ranges by credit hour to deliver these courses in programs that are in high demand and require a greater investment to deliver. See the differential tuition page for details.
Yes, financial aid is based upon an estimated total cost of attending (COA) UNC including an amount for average differential tuition minus the expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by your financial aid application (FAFSA). If you discover your differential tuition costs are higher than the average amount used in your COA, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid to see if an adjustment is possible.
One-time non-refundable $260 “Student Success Fee” which is charged to all new students, whether first-time or transfer. This covers programs and services that are critical to a student’s successful transition to an academic career at UNC. One of the most obvious components to a successful transition is our orientation program. The program includes learning about UNC resources, hearing expectations as member of the institution, meeting with faculty and staff, selecting courses, and registering for classes. Other components include:
- advising related to a student’s academic goals
- aptitudes and career goals (which is different than faculty advising about specific courses to take)
- on-going assessment and development of programs that are specifically designed to help students effectively navigate the transition from the mode of learning at a high school or community college
- and the mode of learning necessary to be successful at a University.
- Examples include the development of the University 101 first year seminar and appropriate placement in foundational courses like math and English.
It varies depending on whether students reside on campus, take a meal plan or purchase a parking permit. You can see a breakdown of the costs by going to the fees page.
COF stands for College Opportunity Fund and applies per-credit funding from the state to help off-set tuition for eligible in-state students. Colorado undergraduate residents are eligible. If the student has applied and authorized, $116 per credit hour will appear on the statement.
Financial aid opportunities can be found on the web at Office of Financial Aid – University of Northern Colorado or you can speak directly to a UNC financial aid representative by calling 970-351-4UNC.
UNC’s monthly payment plan allows you to pay your bill in easy monthly installments rather than in one lump sum. This plan includes all of the charges on your bill. More information on this plan can be found on the Bear Pay page.
We’re here to help. For financial questions contact:
- ofa@unco.edu
- 970-351-4862
- Bear Central in Campus Commons