Western State Colorado University vs. UNM

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or University of New Mexico Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University or UNM is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western State Colorado University vs. University of New Mexico Main Campus comparison
Western State Colorado University University of New Mexico Main Campus College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University University of New Mexico Main Campus
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Overview

Western State Colorado University UNM
Location Gunnison, CO Albuquerque, NM
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 3,548 21,953
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #658
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu unm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University UNM
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $6,803
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $25,138
Room & Board $10,286 $10,916
Avg Net Price $16,672 $10,633
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $9,280
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 97%

Admission

Western State Colorado University UNM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 12,639
Admitted 2,862 12,142
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 96.1%
Enrolled % 15.3% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 17/25
SAT Range 1010/1270 1030/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western State Colorado University UNM
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University UNM
Graduation Rate 39% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $201

Diversity

Western State Colorado University UNM
% Men 49% 42%
% Women 51% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 75% 35%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 47%
% Native American 1% 6%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Western State Colorado University UNM
% In-State 72% 80%
% Out-of-State 27% 18%

Campus

Western State Colorado University UNM
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (21,953 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or UNM?

  • Western State Colorado University is 2% more expensive to attend than UNM for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $6,803.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.6% higher at UNM than Western State Colorado University ($25,138.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of New Mexico Main Campus than Western State Colorado University ($10,633 vs. $16,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 6.1% lower than costs at University of New Mexico Main Campus ($10,286 vs. $10,916)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than Western State Colorado University (97% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 1% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($9,280 vs. $9,189)

Western State Colorado University vs. UNM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western State Colorado University or UNM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNM or Western State Colorado University .

  • The average SAT score at University of New Mexico Main Campus (1040) is 76 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming UNM students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Western State Colorado University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at UNM (3.42)
  • UNM has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Western State Colorado University (91.8%)

Western State Colorado University vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado University or UNM? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNM and Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at UNM is higher than Western State Colorado University (44% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn on average $1,900 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $40,800)
  • University of New Mexico Main Campus students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,500)
  • UNM graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($201 vs. $222)
  • More Western State Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/