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Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado · Public · 4-year · Town

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At a glance

Average net price
$16,425What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
100%
Graduation rate
51%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
1,586
In-state tuition
$11,318Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$24,434
SAT midpoint
1,135
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$46,833Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$16,425

Better than 35% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

51%

Better than 46% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$46,833

Better than 23% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$20,250

Better than 59% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$25,736

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$16,425

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Western Colorado University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time51%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return72%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$20,250
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$46,833

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Western Colorado University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Economics$53,40312
Accounting and Related Services$47,2046
Sociology$43,17816
Business Administration, Management and Operations$41,88677
Psychology, General$32,35232
Political Science and Government$30,27212
Biology, General$29,88143
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$26,12324
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies$25,90317
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$21,03832
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported21
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralNot reported21
Communication and Media StudiesNot reported19
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsNot reported11
MathematicsNot reported11
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported10
HistoryNot reported9
Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesNot reported6
ChemistryNot reported5
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reported3
PhysicsNot reported2
MusicNot reported2
AnthropologyNot reported2
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesNot reportedNot reported
Computer ProgrammingNot reportedNot reported
Business/Corporate CommunicationsNot reportedNot reported

All 26 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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