Colorado State vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Western Washington 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins than Western Washington University ($21,011 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 6.4% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($15,747 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 39.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,791 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Colorado State than at Western Washington University (about $6,076 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington 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 47.2% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($10,160 vs. $6,902).

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 80 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• 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 (93.2%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Colorado State vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and Western Washington 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,591 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,413 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.