CU Boulder vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($17,711 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 41.7% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($10,760 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 38.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $4,348 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.8% higher at CU Boulder than at Western Colorado University (about $20,484 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of Colorado Boulder (93% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($11,225 vs. $8,425).

CU Boulder vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 80 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

CU Boulder vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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).

• University of Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.