Western Colorado University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Western Colorado University is a public research university in Gunnison, Colorado, enrolling about 1,586 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 99.71% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $46,833 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,318
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,425 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 99.71% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,586 90.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 50.50%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 25.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 10.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 67.9%
- Average SAT Score: 1230
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,146
- Applicants (IPEDS): 3,283
- Room & Board: $10,760 annual estimate
Western Colorado University: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Colorado University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Colorado University?
Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (ZIP 81231).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Western Colorado University public or private?
Western Colorado University is a Public institution.
How much does Western Colorado University cost?
Published tuition: $11,318 in-state, $24,434 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $16,425.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,490 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,868 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,908 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,928 |
| $110,001+ | $21,396 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $45,272.
How hard is it to get into Western Colorado University?
Admission rate: 99.71%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1230 and midpoint ACT 24.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Western Colorado University?
Total enrollment: 1,586 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,146 students.
Graduate enrollment: 420 students.
About 90% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
150%-time completion rate: 50.50%.
First-year retention: 72.4%.
What do graduates of Western Colorado University earn?
Median earnings: $40,037 six years after entry; $46,833 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,250.
12.02% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Colorado University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (71 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (53 completions)
- Environmental Studies (46 completions)
- Education, General (33 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (31 completions)
- Psychology, General (31 completions)
- Creative Writing (30 completions)
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (23 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (20 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (17 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Colorado University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 99.71%; completion rate 50.50%; median earnings $46,833 at 10 years; net price $16,425. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,318
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Colorado University was $11,318.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,425
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Colorado University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,425.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$65,700 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,425 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$45,272 4-Year In-State Tuition
$97,736 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,760 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,350 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,428 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$93,712 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Colorado University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
12.02% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
19.67% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Colorado University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Colorado University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,343 | $17,284 | $14,177 |
| 2014 | $7,874 | $18,319 | $14,352 |
| 2015 | $8,451 | $19,455 | $15,530 |
| 2016 | $9,193 | $20,497 | $16,028 |
| 2017 | $9,802 | $21,274 | $17,229 |
| 2018 | $10,114 | $21,586 | $17,200 |
| 2019 | $10,436 | $21,908 | $17,282 |
| 2020 | $10,646 | $22,430 | $16,690 |
| 2021 | $10,662 | $22,446 | $17,437 |
| 2022 | $10,813 | $22,837 | $15,175 |
| 2023 | $11,083 | $23,683 | $16,773 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
99.71% Acceptance Rate
3,283 Total Applicants
3,200 Students Admitted
423 First-Time Students Enrolled
13.22% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1230
ACT Average: 24
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Colorado University reported total enrollment of about 1,586 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 57% male and 43% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (11.2%), and Two or More Races (3.9%). About 12.02% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 25.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
90.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Colorado University in 2024 is 1,586 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,146 students. Graduate enrollment is about 420 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 75.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
34.53% 100% Completion Time
50.50% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 34.53% of students graduating from Western Colorado University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 77% male / 23% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 45% male / 55% female
- Environmental Studies: 46% male / 54% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Colorado University.
Return on Investment
$20,250 Median Student Debt
$46,833 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
43.24% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
612.83% Return on Investment
4.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Colorado University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 35 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 71 completions
2. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 53 completions
3. Environmental Studies: 46 completions
4. Education, General: 33 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 31 completions
6. Psychology, General: 31 completions
7. Creative Writing: 30 completions
8. Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies: 23 completions
9. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 20 completions
Most popular programs at Western Colorado University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Colorado University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Colorado University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 67.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,628
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $14,568
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Colorado University is a public institution located in Gunnison, CO, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Environmental Studies. Enrollment is approximately 1,586 students. Student body composition includes White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (11.2%), Two or More Races (3.9%). The admission rate is 99.71%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1230. The 150%-time completion rate is 50.50%. Approximately 12.02% of students receive Pell Grants. About 25.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Gunnison, CO 81231
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Western Colorado University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Colorado University located?
Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO.
What is Western Colorado University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Western Colorado University is 99.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 3,283 applicants and 3,200 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Western Colorado University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,318 and average net price is $16,425 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,760 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Colorado University?
Western Colorado University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,146 students, White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (11.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Colorado University?
About 25.0% of students at Western Colorado University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Western Colorado University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Western Colorado University reports midpoint SAT about 1230 and midpoint ACT about 24.
What do graduates of Western Colorado University earn?
Median earnings are $40,037 six years after entry and $46,833 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 50.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Colorado University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,250.
Is Western Colorado University public or private?
Western Colorado University is a public institution located in Gunnison, CO.
Is Western Colorado University an HBCU?
No. Western Colorado University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Colorado University a tribal college?
No. Western Colorado University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.