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Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University is based in the town of Gunnison, CO — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$10,573

family income
under $30k

$9,926

$30–48k

$15,090

$48–75k

$18,658

$75–110k

$21,621

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$16,4252023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Western Colorado University rose from $14,274 (2008) to $16,425 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$14,274
2009	$14,183
2010	$12,919
2011	$12,623
2012	$14,177
2013	$14,352
2014	$15,530
2015	$16,028
2016	$17,229
2017	$17,200
2018	$17,282
2019	$16,690
2020	$17,437
2021	$15,175
2022	$16,773
2023	$16,425

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$25,7362024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Western Colorado University rose from $18,579 (2009) to $25,736 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$18,579
2010	$18,725
2011	$16,716
2012	$17,597
2013	$18,875
2014	$19,547
2015	$20,645
2016	$21,431
2017	$22,450
2018	$23,409
2019	$23,911
2020	$24,194
2021	$24,456
2022	$24,833
2023	$25,426
2024	$25,736

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$2,270	$8,009
2001	$2,403	$8,453
2002	$2,479	$9,043
2003	$2,564	$9,746
2004	$2,763	$2,763
2005	$3,138	$11,754
2006	$3,349	$11,908
2007	$3,586	$12,418
2008	$6,538	$12,754
2013	$7,343	$17,284
2014	$7,874	$18,319
2015	$8,451	$19,455
2016	$9,193	$20,497
2017	$9,802	$21,274
2018	$10,114	$21,586
2019	$10,436	$21,908
2020	$10,646	$22,430
2021	$10,662	$22,446
2022	$10,813	$22,837
2023	$11,083	$23,683

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Western Colorado University reports tuition of $11,318 for in-state students and $24,434 for out-of-state students. Check Western Colorado University’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Enrollment sits at 1,586 — Western Colorado University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.

50.5% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Western Colorado University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

50.5%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Western Colorado University rose from 24% (entered 1991) to 50.5% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	24%
1992 cohort	22.2%
1993 cohort	27.9%
1994 cohort	27.9%
1995 cohort	27.4%
1996 cohort	30.4%
1997 cohort	30.8%
1998 cohort	31.2%
1999 cohort	36.3%
2000 cohort	31.4%
2001 cohort	36.4%
2002 cohort	36.1%
2003 cohort	39%
2004 cohort	36.2%
2005 cohort	38.7%
2006 cohort	37.5%
2007 cohort	42.4%
2008 cohort	35.6%
2009 cohort	43%
2010 cohort	45%
2011 cohort	41%
2012 cohort	48%
2013 cohort	51.4%
2014 cohort	50.4%
2015 cohort	47.6%
2016 cohort	47%
2017 cohort	50.7%
2018 cohort	50.5%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$12,707	$3,324
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$12,711	$3,313
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,000	$4,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$13,125	$4,837
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$13,346	$4,440
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$13,968	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$13,726	$5,000
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	—	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$14,250	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$14,375	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	—	$7,138
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$15,563	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$18,080	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$19,250	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$19,769	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$20,688	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$21,500	$5,698
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$21,360	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$22,980	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$22,713	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$22,441	$6,295
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$20,250	$8,250

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$40,037

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$43,861

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$46,833

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Western Colorado University admitted 3,110 of 3,119 applicants in Fall 2024. The 99.7% rate describes that application pool.

99.7%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $11,083 in-state tuition · 2023–24 1,586 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1163–13531600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Western Colorado University received 3,119 applications and admitted 3,110 (99.7%), with 357 enrolling.

Western Colorado University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Western Colorado University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 608–683 and Math was 555–670 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1163–1353 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	608	640	683
SAT Math	555	620	670
ACT Composite	22	24	26

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

99.7%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	77.9%
Fall 2002	81.1%
Fall 2003	79.3%
Fall 2004	85.1%
Fall 2005	86.8%
Fall 2006	62.5%
Fall 2007	90.7%
Fall 2008	90.7%
Fall 2009	72%
Fall 2010	66.4%
Fall 2011	92.5%
Fall 2012	95.7%
Fall 2013	93.2%
Fall 2014	97.4%
Fall 2015	97.6%
Fall 2016	91.9%
Fall 2017	86%
Fall 2018	88.9%
Fall 2019	84.2%
Fall 2020	88.5%
Fall 2021	90.9%
Fall 2022	91.8%
Fall 2023	97.5%
Fall 2024	99.7%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1163–1353Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	910	1130
Fall 2004	900	1100
Fall 2005	920	1130
Fall 2006	880	1120
Fall 2007	890	1120
Fall 2008	920	1130
Fall 2009	900	1100
Fall 2010	910	1100
Fall 2011	940	1130
Fall 2012	920	1110
Fall 2013	860	1110
Fall 2014	780	1057
Fall 2015	910	1140
Fall 2016	890	1120
Fall 2017	990	1200
Fall 2018	1000	1170
Fall 2019	1000	1200
Fall 2020	1000	1190
Fall 2021	1040	1230
Fall 2022	1010	1270
Fall 2023	1000	1240
Fall 2024	1163	1353

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

22–26Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	19	23
Fall 2002	18	23
Fall 2003	18	23
Fall 2004	18	23
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	18	23
Fall 2007	19	23
Fall 2008	19	24
Fall 2009	19	24
Fall 2010	19	24
Fall 2011	19	24
Fall 2012	19	24
Fall 2013	19	24
Fall 2014	19	24
Fall 2015	19	25
Fall 2016	19	25
Fall 2017	20	25
Fall 2018	19	25
Fall 2019	20	26
Fall 2020	20	26
Fall 2021	21	26
Fall 2022	21	29
Fall 2023	21	28
Fall 2024	22	26

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

1,586Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Western Colorado University fell from 2,232 (Fall 2002) to 1,586 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	2,232
Fall 2003	2,297
Fall 2004	2,183
Fall 2005	2,135
Fall 2006	2,085
Fall 2007	2,056
Fall 2008	2,038
Fall 2009	1,966
Fall 2010	2,028
Fall 2011	1,958
Fall 2012	1,947
Fall 2013	1,956
Fall 2014	1,936
Fall 2015	1,945
Fall 2016	1,987
Fall 2017	1,899
Fall 2018	1,940
Fall 2019	1,815
Fall 2020	1,682
Fall 2021	1,722
Fall 2022	1,673
Fall 2023	1,653
Fall 2024	1,586

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

72%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Western Colorado University rose from 59% (Fall 2002) to 72% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	59%
Fall 2003 cohort	61%
Fall 2004 cohort	58%
Fall 2005 cohort	61%
Fall 2006 cohort	59%
Fall 2007 cohort	61%
Fall 2008 cohort	54%
Fall 2009 cohort	59%
Fall 2010 cohort	63%
Fall 2011 cohort	63%
Fall 2012 cohort	68%
Fall 2013 cohort	70%
Fall 2014 cohort	69%
Fall 2015 cohort	69%
Fall 2016 cohort	64%
Fall 2017 cohort	70%
Fall 2018 cohort	65%
Fall 2019 cohort	67%
Fall 2020 cohort	74%
Fall 2021 cohort	77%
Fall 2022 cohort	73%
Fall 2023 cohort	72%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Western Colorado University

12% of Western Colorado University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Western Colorado University as a primarily residential campus of 1,586 undergraduates — and 72.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Western Colorado University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1163–1353 — their midpoint is near the CO four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Western Colorado University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Western Colorado University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Western Colorado University99.7%

Colorado median86.5%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Western Colorado University$11,318

Colorado median$12,750

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Western Colorado University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Western Colorado University$46,833

Colorado median$53,445

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Western Colorado University, Colorado and national reference values
Metric & basis	Western Colorado University	Colorado median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	99.7%	86.5%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$11,318	$12,750	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$46,833	$53,445	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Western Colorado University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Western Colorado University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 11 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Accounting and Related Services	$63,922
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$61,876
Sociology	$57,359
Biology, General	$50,954
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$49,170
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies	$48,109
Communication and Media Studies	$47,426
Psychology, General	$47,401
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$40,636
Fine and Studio Arts	$39,865
English Language and Literature, General	$39,414

These 11 fields listed for Western Colorado University measure earnings after completion. The $46,833 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 15 additional Western Colorado University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Western Colorado University report?

Western Colorado University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1163–1353 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Western Colorado University's acceptance rate?

99.7% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 3,110 admitted from 3,119 applicants.

How much does Western Colorado University cost?

In-state tuition is $11,318; out-of-state students pay $24,434. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Western Colorado University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $46,833. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Colorado

Colorado State University Pueblo — 94.9% admitted
Regis University — 86.5% admitted
University of Northern Colorado — 85.9% admitted
Naropa University — 100% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.