Western State Colorado University vs. MSU

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or Montana State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University or MSU 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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Western State Colorado University vs. Montana State University comparison
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Western State Colorado University Montana State University
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Overview

Western State Colorado University MSU
Location Gunnison, CO Bozeman, MT
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 3,548 16,681
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #590
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu montana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University MSU
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $5,824
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $27,391
Room & Board $10,286 $11,300
Avg Net Price $16,672 $17,250
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $5,749
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

Western State Colorado University MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 28,794
Admitted 2,862 21,116
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 73.3%
Enrolled % 15.3% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 20/27
SAT Range 1010/1270 1070/1290
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

Academics

Western State Colorado University MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University MSU
Graduation Rate 39% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $45,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $248

Diversity

Western State Colorado University MSU
% Men 49% 52%
% Women 51% 48%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 86%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Western State Colorado University MSU
% In-State 72% 35%
% Out-of-State 27% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Montana State University is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (16,681 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western State Colorado University is 19.1% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.5% higher at MSU than Western State Colorado University ($27,391.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than MSU ($16,672 vs. $17,250)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 9.9% lower than costs at Montana State University ($10,286 vs. $11,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than Western State Colorado University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 59.8% larger than aid received Montana State University ($9,189 vs. $5,749)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western State Colorado University or MSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSU or Western State Colorado University .

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 167 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than MSU (73.3%)

Western State Colorado University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado University or MSU? 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 MSU and Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at MSU is higher than Western State Colorado University (51% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Montana State University earn on average $5,000 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($45,800 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($222 vs. $248)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State 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/