Overview
Deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University delivers a full liberal arts curriculum and career preparation in more than 100 areas of study. Encouraging a tight-knit community, WCU’s goal is to provide personalized attention to ensure students gain real-world experience before graduation. Western is home to the new Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering, made possible through a collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder. Located in Gunnison Valley, students can take advantage of Western’s location through the Wilderness Pursuits program, or by visiting either of the two ski resorts, both within 43 miles of campus. To top it all off, Western provides a number of study abroad options for its Mountaineers, including Semester at Sea and semester- or year-long stays at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England.
Acceptance Rate:
92%
Average Net Price:
$16,951
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
23
Average SAT Composite
1114
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $11,083 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $23,683 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $10,442 |
| Books and Supplies | $1350 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
93%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
14%
Average Aid Per Year
$9,189
14%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,773
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,214
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
24%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3253
87%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,773
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$9,017,048
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$3,528,294
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
49%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,052
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$217
Students receiving federal loans
46%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,678
Average Other Loans Per Year
$14,632
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
3116
Students Applied
94%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
106
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
No
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | March 1 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | November 1 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$30
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
14%
Submitting ACT
37%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
Average SAT Composite: 1114
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
3,548
Total Number of Undergrads
3,095
0
100
28%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
50%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
27
Faculty Overview
0
100
75%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
50
Countries Represented
10
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
25%
Student Organizations
60
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
47%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
66%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Mountaineers
School Colors
crimson and slate
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Total Male Athletes
252
Total Female Athletes
159
Intramural Sports
15
Sports Club
15
Sports Team (Men)
- Basketball
- Cheerleading-Dance Team
- Cross Country
- Football
- Track and Field
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cheerleading-Dance Team
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Western Colorado University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$43,400
Top 5 Cities
Denver
Grand Junction
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins
Los Angeles
Top 5 Employers
Western Colorado University
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Wells Fargo
Vail Resorts
Denver Public Schools
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Operations
Sales
Education
Community and Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,000
Loan Default Rate
5%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$217
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingThe teachers from Western State are voted the best of the state of Colorado. The teacher to student ratio is 20:1. Since the school and class sizes are small, you receive a lot of one-on-one action and the teachers make sure you know the material before moving on. I have learned so much that I bipassed in high school. The teachers teach subjects in a way that in interesting and attention grabbing. You will never get bored and will be excited to go to class the next time.
Jacquelyn from Grand Rapids, MI
I am in the Elementary Education program and thus far it has been amazing. They have a set up schedule of what you have to take and it's just a little bit of everything. Your senior year is an entire year of student teaching to which you can pick to go anywhere in the world. The education program here was highly raved about and I have not been disappointed. I also love the small class sizes that Western has. TA's are rarely used and so if you have a question you can go directly to the professors who are incredibly friendly and open with you.
Beverly from Estes Park, CO
I love the classes I am taking this year. Everything is always interesting. The teachers always explain everything they are teaching. They have great teaching methods and great personalities. You can always relate to the teachers on a personal level and they are pretty much always available to help you whenever you need it.
Jacob from Yoder, CO
You will easily find great friends because everyone is super friendly. The professors are very willing to help you with anything if you ask for it. Lastly, location is everything. If you love the outdoors, or if you want to get more into outdoorsy things like ice climbing or mountaineering, this is the place to be.
It is a great place to learn and it feels like your in a community and your opinion matters. The teaching staff is good and willing to help were ever needed. There are tons of activities for everyone and the Gunnison community is great as well.
student
western state is an outdoor laboratory with outstanding opportunities for field experience, connections, and internships. western is the most hospitable college with people who genuinely want to know you and build a friendship. western state challenges you academically and helps you create a bright and successful future.
Kathryn from Castle Rock, CO
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