CU Boulder vs. Western State Colorado University

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

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
Location Boulder, CO Gunnison, CO
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 39,585 3,548
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191 #709
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu western.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $6,936
Tuition (Out of State) $38,770 $18,960
Room & Board $16,146 $10,286
Avg Net Price $21,836 $16,672
Avg Grant Aid $10,477 $9,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 91%

Admission

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,781 3,116
Admitted 43,416 2,862
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 91.8%
Enrolled % 16.4% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/32 21/29
SAT Range 1160/1390 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

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
Graduation Rate 68% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $201 $222

Diversity

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
% Men 55% 49%
% Women 45% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 75%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

CU Boulder Western State Colorado University
% In-State 53% 72%
% Out-of-State 45% 27%

Campus

CU Boulder 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

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 3,548 students)

CU Boulder vs. Western State Colorado University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 66.1% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.5% higher at CU Boulder than Western State Colorado University ($38,770.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than CU Boulder ($16,672 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 57% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($10,286 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western State Colorado University than University of Colorado Boulder (91% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 14% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($10,477 vs. $9,189)

CU Boulder vs. Western State Colorado University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 248 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than CU Boulder (80.7%)

CU Boulder vs. Western State Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than Western State Colorado University (68% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $16,100 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,500)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($201 vs. $222)
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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