CU Denver vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

CU Denver vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Western Colorado University ($14,831 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 30.3% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($10,760 vs. $15,442).
• Western Colorado University is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $935 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at CU Denver than at Western Colorado University (about $4,957 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($9,496 vs. $8,425).

CU Denver vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 160 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

CU Denver vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $310 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.