Western Colorado University vs. ULM

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Monroe is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (8,601 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); University of Louisiana at Monroe is in Monroe, LA (Small City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1.

Western Colorado University vs. ULM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or ULM? 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe than Western Colorado University ($13,648 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 1.9% lower than at Western Colorado University ($10,554 vs. $10,760).
• Western Colorado University is 23.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $2,128 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Western Colorado University than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $3,144 more per year; $24,434.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Western Colorado University (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 58.3% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($13,338 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. ULM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is the same as at ULM (1260).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; ULM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than ULM (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 35.1% at ULM.

Western Colorado University vs. ULM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Colorado University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe 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, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Western Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 49%)

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.