Western Colorado University vs. St. John's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Colorado University is larger than St. John's College based on total student enrollment (3,568 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); St. John's College is in Santa Fe, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; St. John's College 8:1.

Western Colorado University vs. St. John's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or St. John's College? 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 Western Colorado University than St. John's College ($17,711 vs. $25,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 33.1% lower than at St. John's College ($10,760 vs. $16,088).
• St. John's College is 257.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $29,186 more per year; $40,504.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at St. John's College than at Western Colorado University (about $16,070 more per year; $40,504.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University as at St. John's College (93% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John's College students is 263.7% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($30,644 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. St. John's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University or St. John's College? 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 St. John's College and Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John's College (1380) is 120 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming St. John's College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; St. John's College 1290/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; St. John's College 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; St. John's College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. John's College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than St. John's College (53.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 37% at St. John's College.

Western Colorado University vs. St. John's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University and St. John's College? 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).

• St. John's College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Colorado University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than St. John's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than St. John's College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. John's College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More St. John's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.