Western Colorado University

www.western.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$7,308

2.53% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$17,711

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

99.7%

3,119 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

3,568

49.2% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

50.5%

253 Graduates

About

Western Colorado University is a higher education institution located in Gunnison County, CO. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Colorado University were General Biological Sciences (53 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (53 degrees), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (31 degrees).

In 2024, 513 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Colorado University. 52% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 48% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (394 degrees), 8.57 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (46 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University is $7,308, which is $−16,692 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University is $7,308, which is $16,692 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,711.

In 2024, 43% of undergraduate students attending Western Colorado University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 20% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$7,308

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Colorado University was $7,308. The cost of tuition at Western Colorado University is $−16,692 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Colorado University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$17,711

2024 Value

0.0113%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Western Colorado University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,711. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Western Colorado University grew by 0.0113%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Colorado University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,561

Room and Board

$1,350

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Colorado University was of $12,561 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 10.7% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,350. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Colorado University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

43%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

20%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

43% of undergraduate students at Western Colorado University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 10.4% with respect to 2023, when 48% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Colorado University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Western Colorado University received 3,119 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 5% annual growth. Out of those 3,119 applicants, 3,110 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 99.7% acceptance rate.

There were 3,568 students enrolled at Western Colorado University in 2024. 11% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Colorado University has an overall enrollment yield of 11.5%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

99.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

3,110

Accepted Out of 3,119

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Colorado University was 99.7% (3,110 admissions from 3,119 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 97.5%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 5%, while admissions declined by 2.81%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Colorado University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

11%

Submission Percentage (2024)

Scores Submitted (2024)

11% of enrolled first-time students at Western Colorado University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Colorado University had a total enrollment of 3,568 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University is 1,754 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,814. This means that 49.2% of students enrolled at Western Colorado University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Colorado University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 59.4% White, 18.9% Hispanic or Latino, 4.06% Black or African American, 3.64% Two or More Races, 1.93% Asian, 1.01% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.196% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Colorado University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (42.1%), followed by White Female (32%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (6.72%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (54.5%), followed by White Male (28.2%) and Two or More Races Female (2.39%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

49.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Colorado University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 3,568 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University is 1,754 and the part-time enrollment is 1,814. This means that 49.2% of students enrolled at Western Colorado University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Colorado University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

72%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Colorado University was 72%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Colorado University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Colorado University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,118 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
675 enrolled students
Black or African American
145 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Colorado University is 59.4% White, 18.9% Hispanic or Latino, 4.06% Black or African American, 3.64% Two or More Races, 1.93% Asian, 1.01% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.196% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 355 students (9.95%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 21 more women than men received degrees from Western Colorado University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Colorado University is white (394 degrees awarded). There were 8.57 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (46 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Colorado University is General Biological Sciences (53 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (53 degrees) and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (31 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Colorado University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Natural Resources & Conservation (46 degrees awarded), English (52 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Physicians

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Colorado University are Physicians (437,037 people), Other managers (263,217 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (237,710 people), Postsecondary teachers (217,255 people), and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (204,044 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University in 2024 are Natural Resources & Conservation (46 degrees awarded), English (52 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees), Biology (73 degrees), and History (7 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Colorado University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University are Natural Resources & Conservation (46 degrees awarded), English (52 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees), Biology (73 degrees), and History (7 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Colorado University are Elementary & secondary schools (615,490 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (611,485 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (530,953 people), Offices of physicians (218,689 people), and Scientific research & development services (182,589 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Colorado University.

Most Common (2024)

General Biological Sciences
53 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
53 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
31 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Colorado University was General Biological Sciences with 53 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Colorado University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

246

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

267

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 246 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University, which is 0.921 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (267).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Colorado University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 55 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 3.44 times more than the 16 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 29 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University in General Biological Sciences, which is 1.21 times more than the 24 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

32%

100% Completion Time

47%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 32% of students graduating from Western Colorado University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 48% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (59.5%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Western Colorado University is Female and White (59.5% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
394 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
46 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
12 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Colorado University is white (394 degrees awarded). There were 8.57 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (46 degrees).

7.6% of degree recipients (39 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
251 degrees awarded
White Male
240 degrees awarded
White Female
234 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Colorado University is white female (251 degrees awarded). There were 1.05 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (240 degrees).

Operations

Western Colorado University has an endowment valued at nearly $9.48M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 1.12M (11.8%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Western Colorado University had a total salary expenditure of 79.3M. Western Colorado University employs 54 Lecturers, 43 Professors and 18 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Colorado University are Male Lecturer (27), Male Professor (27), and Female Lecturer (27).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University are: Management, with 54 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 39 employees, and Service with 38 employees.

Endowment

$9.48M

2024 Endowment

7.29%

growth from 2023

Western Colorado University has an endowment valued at about $9.48M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Colorado University grew 7.29% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $36.4M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Colorado University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$29.1M

2024 Salaries

15.4%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Western Colorado University paid a median of $29.1M in salaries, which represents 36.7% of their overall expenditure ($79.3M) and a 15.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.49% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 8.08% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$8.72M

Instructional Salaries

127

Number of Employees

In 2024, Western Colorado University paid a total of $8.72M to 127 employees working as instructors, which represents 29.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University were Management with 54 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 39 employees, and Service with 38 employees.

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