DU vs. Western State Colorado University

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

DU Western State Colorado University
Location Denver, CO Gunnison, CO
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,387 4,053
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #86 #757
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website du.edu western.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DU Western State Colorado University
Tuition (In State) $58,032 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $58,032 $19,728
Room & Board $17,049 $10,442
Avg Net Price $43,324 $17,709
Avg Grant Aid $32,023 $7,169
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission

DU Western State Colorado University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,214 3,283
Admitted 13,679 3,200
Acceptance Rate 71.2% 97.5%
Enrolled % 10.7% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 21/28
SAT Range 1240/1410 1000/1240
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, 2026

Academics

DU Western State Colorado University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

DU Western State Colorado University
Graduation Rate 78% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,400 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,699 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $222

Diversity

DU Western State Colorado University
% Men 17% 4%
% Women 35% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 75%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 9% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

DU Western State Colorado University
% In-State 28% 72%
% Out-of-State 69% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Denver is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (13,387 students vs. 4,053 students)

DU vs. Western State Colorado University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Denver is 714.1% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($58,032.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 194.2% higher at DU than Western State Colorado University ($58,032.00 vs. $19,728.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than DU ($17,709 vs. $43,324)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 63.3% lower than costs at University of Denver ($10,442 vs. $17,049)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Denver than Western State Colorado University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 346.7% larger than aid received Western State Colorado University ($32,023 vs. $7,169)

DU vs. Western State Colorado University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Denver (1249) is 285 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming DU students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than DU (71.2%)

DU vs. Western State Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DU 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 DU.

  • The graduation rate at DU is higher than Western State Colorado University (78% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Denver earn on average $22,600 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($63,400 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $2,199 lower median federal student loan debt than DU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,699)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than DU graduates. ($222 vs. $245)
  • More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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