UCCS vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (11,354 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 15:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

UCCS vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs than Western Colorado University ($16,942 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 16.7% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($10,760 vs. $12,918).
• Western Colorado University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $1,169 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Western Colorado University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $98 more per year; $24,434.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (93% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Colorado University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($8,425 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 140 points higher than at UCCS (1120).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at UCCS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Colorado University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than UCCS (97.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

UCCS vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 Colorado Springs's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $501 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($20,999 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.