Western Colorado University vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan Technological University is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

Western Colorado University vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than Western Colorado University ($16,879 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 17.5% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($10,760 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 69% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $7,805 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.9% higher at Michigan Tech than at Western Colorado University (about $18,554 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at Western Colorado University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 136.2% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($19,898 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Tech and Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 20 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Michigan Tech (92.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

Western Colorado University vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University and Michigan Tech? 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).

• Michigan Technological University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $5,400 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($222 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.