Western State Colorado University vs. WCU

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

Western State Colorado University WCU
Location Gunnison, CO Cullowhee, NC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 3,548 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University WCU
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $5,000
Room & Board $10,286 $11,173
Avg Net Price $16,672 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 99%

Admission

Western State Colorado University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 17,917
Admitted 2,862 15,201
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 84.8%
Enrolled % 15.3% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 19/26
SAT Range 1010/1270 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Western State Colorado University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University WCU
Graduation Rate 39% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $222 $227

Diversity

Western State Colorado University WCU
% Men 49% 41%
% Women 51% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 79%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Western State Colorado University WCU
% In-State 72% 80%
% Out-of-State 27% 18%

Campus

Western State Colorado University WCU
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

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western State Colorado University is 593.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 279.2% higher at Western State Colorado University than Western Carolina University ($18,960.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Western State Colorado University ($13,022 vs. $16,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western State Colorado University are 8.6% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,286 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Western State Colorado University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 103% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,189 vs. $4,526)

Western State Colorado University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 68 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than WCU (84.8%)

Western State Colorado University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Western State Colorado University (50% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Western State Colorado University earn on average $1,700 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $39,100)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $510 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,010)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
  • More Western State Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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