Western Colorado University vs. BYU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Western Colorado University vs. BYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or BYU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brigham Young University than Western Colorado University ($16,694 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 3.4% lower than at Western Colorado University ($10,396 vs. $10,760).
• Western Colorado University is 69.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $4,630 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 265.3% higher at Western Colorado University than at Brigham Young University (about $17,746 more per year; $24,434.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Brigham Young University (93% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Colorado University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($8,425 vs. $6,088).

Western Colorado University vs. BYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University or BYU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU and Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brigham Young University (1370) is 110 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming BYU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; Brigham Young University 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; Brigham Young University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; BYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BYU Dec 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman BYU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than BYU (67.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Western Colorado University vs. BYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University and BYU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Brigham Young University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($11,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($113 vs. $222).
• More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.