Western Colorado University vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Colorado University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (3,568 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Western Colorado University vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College ($17,711 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 34.5% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($10,760 vs. $16,436).
• Western Colorado University is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $2,365 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Western Colorado University than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $5,231 more per year; $24,434.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at SUNY at Purchase College (93% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($10,432 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 20 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming Purchase College 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; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Colorado University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Western Colorado University vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Colorado University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.