GCU vs. Western State Colorado University

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

GCU Western State Colorado University
Location Phoenix, AZ Gunnison, CO
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 101,816 3,548
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit Non-profit
Website gcu.edu western.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GCU Western State Colorado University
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $6,936
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $18,960
Room & Board $7,800 $10,286
Avg Net Price $21,939 $16,672
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $9,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

GCU Western State Colorado University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 29,304 3,116
Admitted 22,818 2,862
Acceptance Rate 77.9% 91.8%
Enrolled % 37% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA - 3.42
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29
SAT Range 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

Academics

GCU Western State Colorado University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

GCU Western State Colorado University
Graduation Rate 31% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $193 $222

Diversity

GCU Western State Colorado University
% Men 27% 49%
% Women 73% 51%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 75%
% Black 18% 3%
% Hispanic 19% 10%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 6%

Students

GCU Western State Colorado University
% In-State 25% 72%
% Out-of-State 74% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 3,548 students)

GCU vs. Western State Colorado University Cost Comparison

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

  • Grand Canyon University is 137.9% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.9% higher at Western State Colorado University than Grand Canyon University ($18,960.00 vs. $16,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than GCU ($16,672 vs. $21,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 31.9% lower than costs at Western State Colorado University ($7,800 vs. $10,286)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than Western State Colorado University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 5.1% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($9,662 vs. $9,189)

GCU vs. Western State Colorado University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCU 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 GCU .

  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than GCU (77.9%)

GCU vs. Western State Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU 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 GCU.

  • The graduation rate at Western State Colorado University is higher than Grand Canyon University (39% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Grand Canyon University earn on average $13,500 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $40,800)
  • Grand Canyon University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($18,750 vs. $21,500)
  • GCU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($193 vs. $222)
  • More Western State Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 32%)

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