Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Online | western.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Western Colorado University, located in Gunnison, Colorado, sits in the heart of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 7,700 feet and approximately 200 miles southwest of Denver. The 314-acre campus features a blend of historic and modern buildings nestled in the Gunnison Valley, with direct access to extensive outdoor recreation areas including Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Established in 1901 as a state normal school, Western Colorado University has evolved into a public liberal arts institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in environment and sustainability studies, exercise and sport science, and outdoor industry business. The university maintains a moderate selectivity in admissions and provides on-campus housing in traditional residence halls and apartment-style units. Western competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Mountaineers, with notable programs in cross-country running and mountain sports.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Western State Colorado University is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western State Colorado University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#757 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#267 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Colleges in Colorado
#7 in Best Public Colleges in Colorado
#43 in Best Value Colleges in Colorado
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1000/1240 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.42 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Colorado Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | $3,955 |
| Room and Board | $10,442 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,276 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,151 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | $3,955 |
| Room and Board | $10,442 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,276 |
| Total One Year Cost | $38,751 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 28% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 17% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 7% |
| Biology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Western State Colorado University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Western State Colorado University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128391 IPEDS survey data for Western State Colorado University.
Current students may use the Western State Colorado University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025