Western Colorado University vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Colorado University is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (3,568 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); University of North Carolina Asheville is in Asheville, NC (Small City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1.

Western Colorado University vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville than Western Colorado University ($13,798 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 23.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($10,760 vs. $13,992).
• Western Colorado University is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $3,817 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Western Colorado University (about $415 more per year; $24,849.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of North Carolina Asheville (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Colorado University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($8,425 vs. $7,683).

Western Colorado University vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 10 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than University of North Carolina Asheville (91.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

Western Colorado University vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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).

• University of North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Colorado University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $859 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($20,641 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($213 vs. $222).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.