Colorado State vs. Western Washington University

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

Colorado State Western Washington University
Location Fort Collins, CO Bellingham, WA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 33,403 14,747
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #378
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colostate.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado State Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $10,218 $7,760
Tuition (Out of State) $30,078 $25,666
Room & Board $13,728 $14,691
Avg Net Price $16,926 $21,105
Avg Grant Aid $10,727 $6,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 91%

Admission

Colorado State Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,122 11,864
Admitted 30,066 10,997
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 92.7%
Enrolled % 18.5% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/30
SAT Range 1080/1290 1130/1340
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 Jul 1, 2025 Jan 31, 2025

Academics

Colorado State Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Colorado State Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 64% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,004 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $217 $200

Diversity

Colorado State Western Washington University
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 73%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 9%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Colorado State Western Washington University
% In-State 59% 83%
% Out-of-State 40% 17%

Campus

Colorado State Western Washington 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

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (33,403 students vs. 14,747 students)

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

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

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is 31.7% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($10,218.00 vs. $7,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.2% higher at Colorado State than Western Washington University ($30,078.00 vs. $25,666.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado State University Fort Collins than Western Washington University ($16,926 vs. $21,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 7% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($13,728 vs. $14,691)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Washington University than Colorado State University Fort Collins (91% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 64.5% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($10,727 vs. $6,522)

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1145) is 31 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming Colorado State students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Colorado State (90.8%)

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado State or Western Washington 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 Washington University and Colorado State.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins (73% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn on average $3,800 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $48,000)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $1,591 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado State graduates. ($19,413 vs. $21,004)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado State graduates. ($200 vs. $217)
  • More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 69%)

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