Western Colorado University vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (17,135 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Western Colorado University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or MSU? 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 MSU ($17,711 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 23.1% lower than at Montana State University ($10,760 vs. $14,000).
• Western Colorado University is 33.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $2,858 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at MSU than at Western Colorado University (about $8,853 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Montana State University (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($11,763 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 80 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MSU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Western Colorado University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Montana State University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Montana State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($222 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.