Western Colorado University vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Western Colorado University vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or Utah? 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 Utah than Western Colorado University ($16,583 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 19.2% lower than at University of Utah ($10,760 vs. $13,315).
• Western Colorado University is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $1,698 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Utah than at Western Colorado University (about $6,426 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of Utah (93% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 51.3% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($12,744 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 30 points higher than at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming Utah students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Utah (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 26% at Utah.

Western Colorado University vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Utah's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.