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Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, CO · Town · 1,586 students
4
Year
Public
Town
Small (<3k)
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University is best known for leveraging its stunning, high-altitude location as a hands-on living laboratory, offering premier programs in Wildlife Biology, Environment and Sustainability, and Recreation and Outdoor Education. Beyond its field-based sciences, a major differentiator is Western's partnership with CU Boulder, which allows students to earn a prestigious computer science or engineering degree from the state-of-the-art Paul M. Rady School while remaining on the Gunnison campus. Student life is defined by a tight-knit, collaborative culture where academics seamlessly blend with outdoor adventure, highlighted by immediate access to world-class skiing in nearby Crested Butte and the university's unique, competitive Mountain Sports program.


Wikipedia:Western Colorado University is a public university in Gunnison, Colorado, United States. It enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and 450 graduate students, with about 28 percent coming from out of state. Western offers more than 110 undergraduate areas of study and 8 graduate programs, many of which are available through accelerated degree pathways.

Location
Gunnison, CO, 81231 · Town campus
Nearest airport from college
DEN · Denver
150 mi away
Cost
In-state COA
$25,736
Out-of-state COA
$38,852
Avg net price
$16,425
Room & board
$10,760
In-state tuition
$11,318
Out-of-state tuition
$24,434
Books & supplies
$1,350/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$11,490
$30–48k
$10,868
$48–75k
$13,908
$75–110k
$16,928
$110k+
$21,396
Admissions
Admit rate
100%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1230
Reading 608683
Math 555670
ACT midpoint
24
Composite 2226
English 2127
Math 2024
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600

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Essay Requirements

Western Colorado University accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
51%
4-yr on-time completion
35%
1st-yr retention
72%
Transfer-out rate
0%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
48%
Transferred
34%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
18%
Median earnings (6yr)
$40,037
Median earnings (10yr)
$46,833
Median debt
$20,250
Monthly loan payment
$215
Debt range (25th–75th)
$5,500$22,500
Debt (90th percentile)
$30,500
Student Body
Men 57%Women 43%
17
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
12%
First-generation
25%
Median family income
$61,406
Independent students
15%
Avg age at entry
20.0
Part-time students
10%
Race & ethnicity
White
76%
Hispanic
11%
Black
3%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
2%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$40,037
10 years after entry
$46,833
Business Administration, Management and Operations77
Biology, General43
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness32
Psychology, General32
Natural Resources Conservation and Research24
Computer and Information Sciences, General21
Fine and Studio Arts21
Communication and Media Studies19
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies17
Sociology16
Economics12
Political Science and Government12
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods11
Mathematics11
English Language and Literature, General10
History9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$9M
Classification
Master's (Medium)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions
Full-time faculty
68%
Avg faculty salary
$7,628/mo
Instructional spend/student
$14,568
Federal loan rate
20%

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