# Western Colorado University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-colorado-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Gunnison, CO
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Town
- **Region:** Rocky Mountains
- **Enrollment:** 1,586
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

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.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 100% |
| SAT Average | 1230 |
| ACT Midpoint | 24 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $11,318 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $24,434 |
| Average Net Price | $16,425 |
| Median Debt | $20,250 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 12% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 20% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $11,490 |
| $30K-$48K | $10,868 |
| $48K-$75K | $13,908 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $21,396 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 51% |
| Retention Rate | 72% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $40,037 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $43,861 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $46,833 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.43x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 77.85% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 1474.9% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 527.8% |
| Parent Median Income | $94,700 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.64 |
| Friending Bias | -0.02 |
| Volunteering Rate | 10.4% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Biology & Biomedical | 16% |
| Business & Marketing | 16% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
| English & Literature | 7% |
| Computer Science & IT | 6% |
| Communications | 5% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 4% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 12 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #2 in [Best Biology Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-colorado)
- #4 in [Best Business Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-colorado)
- #6 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-colorado)
- #6 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-colorado)
- #7 in [Best Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-colorado)
- #7 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-colorado)
- #7 in [Best Master's Programs in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-colorado)
- #8 in [Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-acceptance-rate)
- #8 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-colorado)
- #17 in [Best Colleges in Rocky Mountains](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-rocky-mountains)
- #23 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-colorado)
- #39 in [Most Affordable Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-english)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Western Colorado University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-colorado-university