Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Colorado University is a public regional university located in Gunnison, Colorado. Western Colorado University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Western Colorado University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $45,755 10 years after enrolling, 12th in Colorado, and in the bottom 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Colorado University bachelor students earn 10% less than the national average. Western Colorado University is ranked 10th in Colorado.
Western Colorado University’s median net annual cost of $16,690 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Colorado University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Biology, Parks & Recreation Studies, Natural Resource Conservation, Health & Fitness, Psychology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$16,690
Average years to graduate
4.5
Accounting
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 3.2
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #75
Economic score: 6.2
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #330
Economic score: 7.37
Geosciences
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 7.57
Mathematics
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 7.66
Sociology
Rank: #302
Economic score: 11.74
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 2 graduate programs at Western Colorado University - Education, Natural Resource Conservation - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.5 years. 55% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Western Colorado University is 2% higher than the state average, and 3% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Western Colorado University, Pell Grant recipients represent 17% of the measured graduating class, 18% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Colorado University graduates within 4.4 years.
Western Colorado University is in the bottom 5% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Colorado University’s economic mobility score of 7.09 is calculated by adjusting the 4.34 economic score of lower-income students by the 17% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Colorado University’s EMS of 7.09 ranks in the bottom 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Colorado University pays $16,690 a year, $8,235 less than the $24,925 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $16,690
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Colorado University, 87% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $16,690 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 59% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,812. This is 5% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,669
Pell grants
$4,487
State grants
$2,407
Institutional grants
$5,730
Western Colorado University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 91% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 3,243 applicants, of which 2,947 were admitted and 456 enrolled. Western Colorado University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
97%
83%
Female
42%
59%
First time
71%
59%
In-state
74%
68%
1st generation
25%
35%
White
69%
52%
Black
3%
14%
Hispanic
9%
15%
Asian
1%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
18%
12%