Western Colorado University
#4 Best Business Colleges in Colorado- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,833 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,425 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 100% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.2 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Business Colleges in Colorado.
Every $1 spent returns $17.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,065,275.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $17.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Colorado University Matters
Western Colorado University is a public university in Gunnison, CO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,586
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Western Colorado University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 100% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1163–1353. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,425 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,833 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $20,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 88% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Western Colorado University stands out with an acceptance rate of 100%. Every student who applies gets a chance to attend, making it an accessible option for those seeking higher education in the Colorado Rockies.
Looking at long-term outcomes, graduates from Western Colorado University earn a median salary of $46,833 a decade after enrolling. While the school does not have specific mobility data, the graduation rate sits at 51%, suggesting that students who persist can find financial stability in their careers.
The cost to attend is $16,425 net. With a median debt of $20,250, students can expect a manageable loan burden upon graduation. This school is well-suited for students interested in programs like Biology, Business, Psychology, and Social Sciences, where hands-on learning and community engagement are emphasized.
Rankings
- #4 Best Business Colleges in Colorado
- #4 Best Biology Colleges in Colorado
- #6 Best Online Colleges in Colorado
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in Colorado
- #6 Best Data Science Colleges in Colorado
- #7 Best Colleges in Colorado
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado
- #7 Best Master's Programs in Colorado
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Colorado University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Colorado University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Colorado University, located in Gunnison, Colorado, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,230. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1230
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1163–1353
- ACT Range
- 22–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,628
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 3,116
- Admitted
- 2,862
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Colorado University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Colorado University is $24,434, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,425. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,490 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,318
- Out-of-State
- $24,434
- Avg Net Price
- $16,425
- Median Debt
- $20,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 20%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,490
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,868
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,908
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,396
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Colorado University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Colorado University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Colorado University earn a median of $46,833, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,037
- 8 Years
- $43,861
- 10 Years
- $46,833
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (125)
- 28%
- 100% (125)
- 28%
- 100% (125)
- 28%
- 100% (125)
- 28%
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Colorado University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Colorado University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,425/year ($65,700 total). Graduates earn $46,833 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,130,975 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,065,275 (17.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $65,700
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,130,975
- Net Return
- $1,065,275
- ROI Multiple
- 17.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,425
- Median Debt
- $20,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Colorado University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Colorado University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.78%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.78%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $128,664
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,021,836
- Federal Grants
- $791,124
- Investment Income
- $-1,010,715
Top Programs
The fields Western Colorado University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $54,760 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $33,206 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $33,722 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $64,679 early-career
- Psychology 8% $33,120 early-career
- Humanities 8% $26,871 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $26,871 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $22,336 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Colorado University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Colorado University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Colorado University, located in Gunnison, Colorado, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,230. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Colorado University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Colorado University is $24,434, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,425. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,490 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,250 in federal student loans.
Is Western Colorado University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Colorado University earn a median of $46,833, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Western Colorado University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Colorado University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.78%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Colorado University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Colorado University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Colorado University.
- Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS · Close peer55% grad $47,601 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT · Close peer50% grad $43,229 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · Close peer40% grad $46,674 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mid-America Christian UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer40% grad $46,116 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME · Close peer52% grad $44,433 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Colorado University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Colorado University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note