Colorado College vs. Willamette University

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

Colorado College
Willamette University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado College (18.5% admitted vs 77.1%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Willamette University. Average net price is $29,421 vs $36,123 at Colorado College.
  • Graduation: Colorado College 88% vs Willamette University 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado College $46,000 vs Willamette University $54,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Colorado College Willamette University
Acceptance rate
Colorado College more selective
Colorado College18.5%
Willamette University77.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado College higher
Colorado College1230-1460
Willamette University1240-1440
Average net price
Willamette University $6,702 less
Colorado College$36,123
Willamette University$29,421
In-state tuition
Willamette University $19,578 less
Colorado College$70,734
Willamette University$51,156
Out-of-state tuition
Willamette University $19,578 less
Colorado College$70,734
Willamette University$51,156
Graduation rate
Colorado College +11 pts
Colorado College88%
Willamette University77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Willamette University +$8,300
Colorado College$46,000
Willamette University$54,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Colorado College and Willamette University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Colorado College Check my chances at Willamette University
  • Applied
  • Colorado College 8,511
  • Willamette University 3,832
  • Admitted
  • Colorado College 1,572
  • Willamette University 2,954
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado College 18.5%
  • Willamette University 77.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado College 30.3%
  • Willamette University 14.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado College 1350
  • Willamette University 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado College 31
  • Willamette University 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado College 3.98
  • Willamette University 3.97
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado College A
  • Willamette University A
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Willamette University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Willamette University
  • SAT range
  • Colorado College 1230-1460
  • Willamette University 1240-1440
  • ACT range
  • Colorado College 29-33
  • Willamette University 28-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado College Test optional
  • Willamette University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado College Jan 15, 2027
  • Willamette University Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Willamette University $51,156
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Willamette University $51,156
  • Room & board
  • Colorado College $16,020
  • Willamette University $16,150
  • Average net price
  • Colorado College $36,123
  • Willamette University $29,421
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado College $50,834
  • Willamette University $38,080
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado College 56%
  • Willamette University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Willamette University 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado College $46,000
  • Willamette University $54,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Willamette University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado College $20,500
  • Willamette University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado College $211
  • Willamette University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado College 9:1
  • Willamette University 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado College
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Willamette University
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
  • Willamette University Salem, OR
  • Setting
  • Colorado College Large City
  • Willamette University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado College 2,056
  • Willamette University 2,180
  • Type
  • Colorado College Private 4 Year
  • Willamette University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado College #78
  • Willamette University #268

Comparable Facts

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

Willamette University is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,180 students vs. 2,056 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Willamette University is in Salem, OR (Midsize City setting).
  • Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Willamette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Willamette University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 0.8% lower than at Willamette University ($16,020 vs. $16,150).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Colorado College than at Willamette University (about $19,578 more per year; $70,734 vs. $51,156).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Willamette University than at Colorado College (100% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Willamette University students ($50,834 vs. $38,080).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colorado College than at Willamette University (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colorado College and Willamette University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Willamette University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado College average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Willamette University (3.97).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 14.3% at Willamette University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Willamette University graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Willamette University graduates ($211 vs. $268).
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Willamette University students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 80%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Colorado College
Willamette University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges