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:
97%
Average Net Price:
$16,951
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.5
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. | $11,318 |
| 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. | $24,434 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $10,760 |
| Books and Supplies | $1350 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
65%
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.
13%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,169
13%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,002
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,492
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
25%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3424
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,002
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.
$9,162,922
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$3,879,399
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.
48%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,208
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
42%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,627
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,188
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
3283
Students Applied
94%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
97
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
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 | August 22 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | November 1 |
Application Fee
$30
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
10%
Submitting ACT
29%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
Average SAT Composite: 1114
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.5
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
4,053
Total Number of Undergrads
3,569
0
100
29%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
48%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
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
55
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
Yes
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
69%
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
6
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
All ReviewsStudent Review
student's Review
Kathryn's Review
from Castle Rock, CO
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