Founded in 1889 to train teachers for Colorado's schools, the University of Northern Colorado still turns out many of the state's teachers. It has since grown into a public university with strong music and jazz, nursing, sport and exercise science and the Monfort College of Business. Greeley is a farming and food-processing city on the plains, with the Rocky Mountains visible to the west. Fort Collins is half an hour away and Denver about an hour.
Greeley, Colorado, United States
Official website: unco.edu
1889, as Colorado State Normal School
Public university in Colorado
Monfort College of Business
Teacher education
$22,000 – $25,000
International students, full-time, approximate
$11,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on unco.edu before you apply.
BA Elementary Education
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
MM Music Performance
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Sport and Exercise Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
A long history of training Colorado's teachers.
Jazz studies and an annual jazz festival on campus.
Mountain views from a campus an hour from Denver.
Education graduates teach in Colorado schools, though US teaching licences involve extra steps for international graduates.
Business graduates join firms along the Front Range, from Greeley to Denver.
Nursing and sport science graduates work in hospitals and health services.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Greeley is a working city built on agriculture and food processing. Downtown, a short walk from campus, has breweries, a farmers' market and summer events.
Costs are lower than in Denver or Boulder. Rocky Mountain National Park is roughly ninety minutes away by car, and local buses link campus with downtown.
Form I-20 issued by University of Northern Colorado
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
UNC accepts international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by about May for fall or October for spring. Music applicants also need an audition, so start earlier.
Most programmes start in fall (August), and many also accept spring (January) starts.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from University of Northern Colorado first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Education, nursing, business, music and sport and exercise science are popular. Undergraduates need secondary school results and IELTS 6.0 to 6.5. Graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree, and music degrees require an audition.
UNC offers some merit scholarships to international undergraduates at admission. Graduate assistantships are available in several departments, including music. Check the scholarships page for current awards.
