Western Colorado University vs. Utah State University

Comparable Facts

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

Utah State University is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (28,904 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); Utah State University is in Logan, UT (Small City setting).
• Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Utah State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Colorado University 17:1; Utah State University 19:1.

Western Colorado University vs. Utah State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University or Utah State University? 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 Utah State University than Western Colorado University ($15,788 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah State University are 15.7% lower than at Western Colorado University ($9,076 vs. $10,760).
• Western Colorado University is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah State University (about $2,090 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Utah State University than at Western Colorado University (about $368 more per year; $24,802.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Utah State University (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Utah State University students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($8,685 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. Utah State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Utah State University (1180).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Utah State University (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; Utah State University 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26; Utah State University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - Test optional; Utah State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Utah State University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Utah State University (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 23.8% at Utah State University.

Western Colorado University vs. Utah State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Utah State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from Utah State University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Utah State University graduates have a $7,890 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($13,610 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah State University graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($140 vs. $222).
• More Utah State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.