Colorado State vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

Colorado State vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Western Colorado University? 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 Colorado State ($17,711 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 36% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($10,760 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $2,055 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at Colorado State than at Western Colorado University (about $10,349 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (93% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($10,160 vs. $8,425).

Colorado State vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State 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: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

Colorado State vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and Western Colorado University? 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $496 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.