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#7 Best Public Universities in Colorado

Western State Colorado University Admission Requirements

Gunnison, Colorado

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Your chances of getting into Western State Colorado University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

97.5%
Admission Difficulty for Western State Colorado University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Western State Colorado University is 97.5%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Western State Colorado University and can you get accepted?

Western State Colorado University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,200 out of the 3,283 who applied were admitted.

Western State Colorado University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the lower half of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Western State Colorado University?

97% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Western State Colorado University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.42 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT

Western State Colorado University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.42

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Western State Colorado University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Western State Colorado University are to have around a 3.42 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.42 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Western State Colorado University accepts 97% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Western State Colorado University is 3.42 on the 4.0 scale. 22% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #12 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Western State Colorado University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Western State Colorado University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 22.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 15.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 15.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Western State Colorado University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Western State Colorado University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1000-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

29%
SAT Scores for Western State Colorado University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1000
SAT Scores for Western State Colorado University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Western State Colorado University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Western State Colorado University is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1000-1240. Students who get into Western State Colorado University score in the top 60 percent of all SAT test takers..  Western State Colorado University ranks #9 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Western State Colorado University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1000 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1000, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 880, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Western State Colorado University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1120, you have around a 97% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 98% chance of getting in.

Western State Colorado University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >98%
1120 to 1240 Avg + 97%-98%
1000 to 1120 Avg - 94%-97%
880 to 1000 Reach 90%-94%
Less than 880 Low <90%
Calculate My Chances 

Western State Colorado University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

10%
ACT Scores for Western State Colorado University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Western State Colorado University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Western State Colorado University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Western State Colorado University is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #9 in Colorado for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

10 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Western State Colorado University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Western State Colorado University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Western State Colorado University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 97% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 99% with a 28 ACT score.

Western State Colorado University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >99%
24 to 28 Avg + 97%-99%
21 to 24 Avg - 95%-97%
18 to 21 Reach 91%-95%
Less than 18 Low <91%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

64% of Western State Colorado University freshman are in the lower half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Western State Colorado University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 6%
Top 25% of class 17%
Top 50% of class 36%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Western State Colorado University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,614 1,669 3,283
Accepted 1,571 1,629 3,200
Acceptance Rate 97% 98% 97%
Enrolled 199 224 423
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 14% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Western State Colorado University is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Western State Colorado University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Western State Colorado University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Western State Colorado University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Western State Colorado University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.42 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Western State Colorado University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128391 IPEDS survey data for Western State Colorado University.

Last updated February 24, 2025