At a glance
Average net price
$16,425
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
50.5%
Admission rate
100%
Undergrad size
1,586
In-state tuition
$11,318
Out-of-state tuition
$24,434
Cost of attendance
$25,736
Median earnings (10y)
$46,833
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,230
- ACT midpoint
- 24
- Retention
- 72.4%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
15 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (32%), social sciences (18%), humanities & arts (18%).
- STEM32%
- Business16%
- Humanities & arts18%
- Social sciences18%
- Trades & services17%
- Parks & recreation16.6%~263 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Biological sciences16.3%~258 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Business15.6%~248 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Psychology8.0%~127 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Social sciences8.0%~127 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English6.8%~107 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science6.1%~97 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~83 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication4.6%~73 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~58 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education2.1%~34 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~34 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History2.1%~34 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics1.8%~29 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~15 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
31 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 157 | $40,324 | $24,000 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 103 | $42,272 | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 90 | $26,963 | $23,973 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 69 | $30,326 | $25,050 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master's | 67 | $29,076 | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 65 | $23,793 | $26,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master's | 61 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 54 | $18,798 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 52 | $32,439 | $21,612 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 52 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 43 | $28,244 | $23,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 43 | $30,165 | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | Bachelor's | 37 | $22,704 | $19,507 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 36 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 23 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Master's | 21 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 21 | — | $24,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 20 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 19 | $22,615 | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | Master's | 18 | — | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 14 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Undergraduate certificate | 14 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor's | 13 | $37,592 | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. | Master's | 10 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 10 | — | — |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 7 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography. | Undergraduate certificate | 6 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 6 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Western Colorado University
Western Colorado University is a mid-sized institution located in Gunnison, Colorado, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 1,586 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Parks & recreation, Biological sciences, Business.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Western Colorado University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $16,425 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $11,318 for in-state students and $24,434 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $25,736 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 50.5%, a above-average completion outcome. 72.4% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $46,833 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Western Colorado University confers degrees and certificates across 15 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Parks & recreation, Biological sciences, Business. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (32% of credentials), social sciences (18% of credentials), humanities & arts (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Western Colorado University accepts 100% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,230. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 24.
Location & campus
Set in Gunnison, Colorado (town), Western Colorado University draws students from across Colorado and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Western Colorado University
Q.How much does Western Colorado University cost?
The average net price at Western Colorado University is $16,425 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $25,736.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
Western Colorado University has a 6-year graduation rate of 50.5% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Western Colorado University?
Western Colorado University admits 100% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Western Colorado University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Western Colorado University graduate earns $46,833 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Western Colorado University?
Published tuition is $11,318 in-state and $24,434 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Western Colorado University located?
Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado (ZIP 81231).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Western Colorado University at their official website.