Western State Colorado University vs. University of North Dakota

Should I go to Western State Colorado University or University of North Dakota? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western State Colorado University or University of North Dakota 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. University of North Dakota comparison
Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota College 3 College 4
Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
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Overview

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
Location Gunnison, CO Grand Forks, ND
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 3,548 13,876
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #384
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu und.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $9,237
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $13,856
Room & Board $10,286 $10,170
Avg Net Price $16,672 $17,359
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $6,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 86%

Admission

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 6,597
Admitted 2,862 5,494
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 83.3%
Enrolled % 15.3% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 20/26
SAT Range 1010/1270 1110/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (14%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
Graduation Rate 39% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $54,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $253

Diversity

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
% Men 49% 50%
% Women 51% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 83%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
% In-State 72% 38%
% Out-of-State 27% 60%

Campus

Western State Colorado University University of North Dakota
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

  • University of North Dakota is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (13,876 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. University of North Dakota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western State Colorado University or University of North Dakota?

  • University of North Dakota is 33.2% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($9,237.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.8% higher at Western State Colorado University than University of North Dakota ($18,960.00 vs. $13,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than University of North Dakota ($16,672 vs. $17,359)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Dakota are 1.1% lower than costs at Western State Colorado University ($10,170 vs. $10,286)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western State Colorado University than University of North Dakota (91% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 43.9% larger than aid received University of North Dakota ($9,189 vs. $6,387)

Western State Colorado University vs. University of North Dakota Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Dakota (1088) is 124 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming University of North Dakota students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Dakota 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 University of North Dakota (83.3%)

Western State Colorado University vs. University of North Dakota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado University or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota and Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Dakota is higher than Western State Colorado University (54% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of North Dakota earn on average $13,900 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($54,700 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of North Dakota graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than University of North Dakota graduates. ($222 vs. $253)
  • More University of North Dakota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/