Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO
School Background
2022 Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,722
Graduate Enrollment: 448
Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Highest degree awarded:
Graduate
Religious Affiliation:
None
Campus Details
Town: Remote (in urban cluster more than 35 miles from an urbanized area)
Four-year, small, highly residential
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full-time, selective, lower transfer-in
Applicant and Admittance Traits
2022 Admission Rate: 90.87%
Male/Female: 58% / 42% (2017)
First generation college students: 25.0% (2017)
Percentage of students who are married when enrolled: 1.2% (2017)
Percentage of students who are veterans: 1.3% (2010)
Test scores for admission: Considered but not required
Appliants applying to 2+ schools: 53.1% (2017)
Appliants applying to 3+ schools: 34.3% (2017)
Appliants applying to 4+ schools: 23.8% (2017)
Appliants applying to 5+ schools: 15.5% (2017)
Ethnicity Information
White: 69.7%
Black: 3.4%
Hispanic: 10.1%
Asian: 1.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.4%
2+ races: 4.4%
Non-resident alien: 0.3%
Unknown race: 10.0%
Black: 3.4%
Hispanic: 10.1%
Asian: 1.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.4%
2+ races: 4.4%
Non-resident alien: 0.3%
Unknown race: 10.0%
Costs & Fees
2022 Average Tuition & Fees (Room/Board/Books): $24,456
In-State tuition: $10,662Out-of-State tuition: $22,446
Estimated books and supplies: $1,300 (2022)
Estimated on-campus room & board: $9,990 (2022)
Estimated on-campus other fees: $3,150 (2022)
Estimated off-campus room & board: $11,844 (2022)
Estimated off-campus other fees: $3,150 (2022)
Average Family Income: $86,203 (2017)
Median Family Income: $61,407 (2017)
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grant: 16.7%Percentage of students with Federal Loans: 30.0%
Median federal loan debt at graduation: $20,250 (2021)
Median federal loan payment: $215 (2021)
| Household Income | Net Cost |
|---|---|
| 0-$30k | $11,976 |
| $30k-48k | $13,037 |
| $48k-75k | $17,772 |
| $75k-110k | $18,893 |
| $110k+ | $21,338 |
Graduate Outcomes & Job Placements
4-year graduation rate: 29%6-year graduation rate: 48%
1 year post-graduation workforce participation: 95.1% (2020)
Loans
Median federal debt for graduates: $20,250 (2021)Median federal debt for non-graduates: $8,250 (2021)
Median federal debt for first-generation graduates: $12,000 (2021)
Median federal debt for Pell grant recipient graduates: $14,190 (2021)
Ability to Repay Loans
| Graduates, % of Loans in Repayment (Non-delinquent/default) |
Percentage |
|---|---|
| @1 Year | 68.2% (2015) |
| @3 year | 73.5% (2017) |
| @5 year | 75.2% (2017) |
1-year Graduate % of Loans being Repaid (Non-delinquent/default) - Pell Grant Recipients: 50.9% (2015)
1-year Graduate % of Loans being Repaid - 1st Generation Attendees: 50.8% (2015)
Earnings Power
Median earnings, 1 year post graduation: $30,788 (2020)Median earnings, 4 years post graduation: $41,847 (2020)
Popular Majors
| Type of Degree | Major | 2022 Graduates | Median Federal Debt | Median Monthly Payment | 1yr Median Earnings (monthly gross) | 4yr Median Earnings (monthly gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | 31 | $21,612 | $208 | $25,491 ($2,124) | $31,313 ($2,609) |
| Master's Degree | Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | 29 | $449 | $34,641 ($2,887) | $51,917 ($4,326) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Communication and Media Studies. | 16 | $23,500 | $220 | $40,760 ($3,397) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Computer Programming. | 9 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Education, General. | 53 | $250 | $45,338 ($3,778) | $49,464 ($4,122) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | 9 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | English Language and Literature, General. | 12 | $23,088 ($1,924) | |||
| Master's Degree | Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | 13 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Biology, General. | 49 | $23,973 | $181 | $28,207 ($2,351) | $44,090 ($3,674) |
| Master's Degree | Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | 5 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Mathematics. | 11 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. | 40 | $19,507 | $156 | $24,598 ($2,050) | $28,611 ($2,384) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | 45 | $25,050 | $248 | $24,698 ($2,058) | $44,827 ($3,736) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Chemistry. | 6 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | 12 | $46,914 ($3,910) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Psychology, General. | 34 | $26,000 | $276 | $29,766 ($2,481) | $46,875 ($3,906) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Anthropology. | 5 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Economics. | 13 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Political Science and Government. | 8 | $24,000 | $254 | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | Sociology. | 18 | $35,547 ($2,962) | $37,385 ($3,115) | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | Fine and Studio Arts. | 16 | $20,226 ($1,686) | $35,251 ($2,938) | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | Music. | 2 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 102 | $24,000 | $238 | $38,790 ($3,233) | $41,312 ($3,443) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Accounting and Related Services. | 16 | $42,479 ($3,540) | $44,548 ($3,712) | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | History. | 7 |
Campus Resources
Average faculty salary: $62,568Full time faculty: 76%
Undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio: 18.0
School's endowment start of year: $9,009,436 (2022)
School's endowment end of year: $10,191,734 (2022)