Western State Colorado University vs. UW

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

Western State Colorado University UW
Location Gunnison, CO Laramie, WY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 3,548 11,100
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #331
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu uwyo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University UW
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $4,800
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $19,950
Room & Board $10,286 $11,610
Avg Net Price $16,672 $12,819
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $8,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 94%

Admission

Western State Colorado University UW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 5,797
Admitted 2,862 5,564
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 96%
Enrolled % 15.3% 29.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 21/28
SAT Range 1010/1270 1040/1240
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 10, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University UW
Graduation Rate 39% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $18,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $191

Diversity

Western State Colorado University UW
% Men 49% 46%
% Women 51% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 76%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 7%

Students

Western State Colorado University UW
% In-State 72% 56%
% Out-of-State 27% 40%

Campus

Western State Colorado University UW
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 Wyoming is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (11,100 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. UW Cost Comparison

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

  • Western State Colorado University is 44.5% more expensive to attend than UW for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $4,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.2% higher at UW than Western State Colorado University ($19,950.00 vs. $18,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wyoming than Western State Colorado University ($12,819 vs. $16,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 12.9% lower than costs at University of Wyoming ($10,286 vs. $11,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Wyoming than Western State Colorado University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 2.8% larger than aid received University of Wyoming ($9,189 vs. $8,942)

Western State Colorado University vs. UW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wyoming (1122) is 158 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming UW students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman UW students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • UW has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Western State Colorado University (91.8%)

Western State Colorado University vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UW is higher than Western State Colorado University (53% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Wyoming earn on average $10,600 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Wyoming students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($18,500 vs. $21,500)
  • UW graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Western State Colorado University graduates. ($191 vs. $222)
  • More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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