Colorado College vs. Western State Colorado University

Should I go to Colorado College or Western State Colorado University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colorado College or Western State Colorado University 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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Colorado College vs. Western State Colorado University comparison
Colorado College Western State Colorado University College 3 College 4
Colorado College Western State Colorado University
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Overview

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
Location Colorado Springs, CO Gunnison, CO
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,203 3,548
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #80 #709
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website coloradocollege.edu western.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
Tuition (In State) $64,554 $6,936
Tuition (Out of State) $64,554 $18,960
Room & Board $14,376 $10,286
Avg Net Price $33,178 $16,672
Avg Grant Aid $46,160 $9,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 54% 91%

Admission

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,846 3,116
Admitted 1,279 2,862
Acceptance Rate 16.3% 91.8%
Enrolled % 41.8% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.98 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Challenging
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 29/33 21/29
SAT Range 1260/1480 1010/1270
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
Graduation Rate 88% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $222

Diversity

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
% Men 44% 49%
% Women 56% 51%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 75%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 9% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 9% 4%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

Colorado College Western State Colorado University
% In-State 19% 72%
% Out-of-State 77% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western State Colorado University is larger than than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (3,548 students vs. 2,203 students)

Colorado College vs. Western State Colorado University Cost Comparison

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

  • Colorado College is 830.7% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($64,554.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 240.5% higher at Colorado College than Western State Colorado University ($64,554.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than Colorado College ($16,672 vs. $33,178)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 39.8% lower than costs at Colorado College ($10,286 vs. $14,376)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western State Colorado University than Colorado College (91% vs. 54%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 402.3% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($46,160 vs. $9,189)

Colorado College vs. Western State Colorado University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Colorado College (16.3%)

Colorado College vs. Western State Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado College or Western State Colorado University? 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 Western State Colorado University and Colorado College.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado College is higher than Western State Colorado University (88% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Colorado College earn on average $5,200 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,800)
  • Colorado College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Colorado College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($211 vs. $222)
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 61%)

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