Colorado College vs. Western Colorado University

Colorado College and Western Colorado University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colorado College
Western Colorado University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado College (18.5% admitted vs 99.7%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Colorado University. Average net price is $17,711 vs $36,123 at Colorado College.
  • Graduation: Colorado College 88% vs Western Colorado University 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado College $46,000 vs Western Colorado University $40,800 (median).
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Key differences

Colorado College Western Colorado University
Acceptance rate
Colorado College more selective
Colorado College18.5%
Western Colorado University99.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado College higher
Colorado College1230-1460
Western Colorado University1163-1353
Average net price
Western Colorado University $18,412 less
Colorado College$36,123
Western Colorado University$17,711
In-state tuition
Western Colorado University $59,416 less
Colorado College$70,734
Western Colorado University$11,318
Out-of-state tuition
Western Colorado University $46,300 less
Colorado College$70,734
Western Colorado University$24,434
Graduation rate
Colorado College +49 pts
Colorado College88%
Western Colorado University39%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colorado College +$5,200
Colorado College$46,000
Western Colorado University$40,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colorado College 8,511
  • Western Colorado University 3,119
  • Admitted
  • Colorado College 1,572
  • Western Colorado University 3,110
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado College 18.5%
  • Western Colorado University 99.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado College 30.3%
  • Western Colorado University 11.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado College 1350
  • Western Colorado University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado College 31
  • Western Colorado University 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado College 3.98
  • Western Colorado University 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado College A
  • Western Colorado University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Western Colorado University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Western Colorado University
  • SAT range
  • Colorado College 1230-1460
  • Western Colorado University 1163-1353
  • ACT range
  • Colorado College 29-33
  • Western Colorado University 22-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado College Test optional
  • Western Colorado University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado College Jan 15, 2027
  • Western Colorado University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Western Colorado University $11,318
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Western Colorado University $24,434
  • Room & board
  • Colorado College $16,020
  • Western Colorado University $10,760
  • Average net price
  • Colorado College $36,123
  • Western Colorado University $17,711
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado College $50,834
  • Western Colorado University $8,425
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado College 56%
  • Western Colorado University 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Western Colorado University 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado College $46,000
  • Western Colorado University $40,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Western Colorado University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado College $20,500
  • Western Colorado University $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado College $211
  • Western Colorado University $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado College 9:1
  • Western Colorado University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado College
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Western Colorado University
    • Business (28%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
  • Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO
  • Setting
  • Colorado College Large City
  • Western Colorado University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado College 2,056
  • Western Colorado University 3,568
  • Type
  • Colorado College Private 4 Year
  • Western Colorado University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado College #78
  • Western Colorado University #1026

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Colorado University is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (3,568 students vs. 2,056 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
  • Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 32.8% lower than at Colorado College ($10,760 vs. $16,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 189.5% higher at Colorado College than at Western Colorado University (about $46,300 more per year; $70,734 vs. $24,434).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Colorado College (93% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 503.4% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($50,834 vs. $8,425).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Colorado College than at Western Colorado University (31 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colorado College and Western Colorado University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado College average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.56 higher than at Western Colorado University (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($211 vs. $222).
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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