Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO · Public · Graduate degree-granting
A public institution in Gunnison, Colorado, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Western Colorado University serves students across multiple degree programs. With 1,586 students, it is a small institution. Graduates earn a median of $46,833 ten years after enrollment, which is 15% above the national median of $40,747. The graduation rate is 50.6%. On the financial side, median graduate debt is $20,250, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of 2.31x. The average net price after financial aid is $16,425 per year. The most popular programs include Business Administration & Management, Education, Biology, Natural Resources Conservation, and Rhetoric & Composition.
Key Outcomes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$46,833
Graduation Rate
50.6%
Median Debt
$20,250
Average Net Price
$16,425
Earnings-to-Cost Ratio
0.71x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio
2.31x
Admissions & Enrollment
Total Enrollment
1,586
Admission Rate
99.7%
Average SAT
1230
Retention Rate
72.4%
Cost
In-State Tuition
$11,318
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,434
Pell Grant Rate
12.0%
Federal Loan Rate
19.7%
Net Cost by Family Income
Income $0–$30K
$11,490
Income $30K–$48K
$10,868
Income $48K–$75K
$13,908
Income $110K+
$21,396
Student Demographics
Women
41.6%
White
75.7%
Black
3.1%
Hispanic
11.2%
Asian
1.2%
Two or More Races
3.9%
Student Loan Performance
Repayment Rate (3yr)
63.0%
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation — Music (MUS) (Accredited)
Programs (35)
Bachelor (20)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | $61,876 | 77 |
| Biology | $50,954 | 43 |
| Sports & Fitness | $40,636 | 32 |
| Psychology | $47,401 | 32 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $49,170 | 24 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | Not reported | 21 |
| Fine Arts | $39,865 | 21 |
| Communications | $47,426 | 19 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | $48,109 | 17 |
| Sociology | $57,359 | 16 |
| Economics | Not reported | 12 |
| Political Science | Not reported | 12 |
| Teacher Education | Not reported | 11 |
| Mathematics | Not reported | 11 |
| English Language & Literature | $39,414 | 10 |
| History | Not reported | 9 |
| Geological Sciences | Not reported | 6 |
| Accounting | $63,922 | 6 |
| Chemistry | Not reported | 5 |
| Romance Languages | Not reported | 3 |
Master (8)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Education | $57,638 | 50 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $67,308 | 41 |
| Rhetoric & Composition | Not reported | 34 |
| Business Administration & Management | Not reported | 23 |
| Physiology | Not reported | 10 |
| Special Education | Not reported | 7 |
| Ecology | Not reported | 7 |
| Arts & Entertainment Management | Not reported | 3 |
Undergraduate Certificate (3)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric & Composition | Not reported | 11 |
| Geography | Not reported | 5 |
| Romance Languages | Not reported | 3 |
Show 4 additional programs with limited data
| Program | Level | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Bachelor | 2 |
| Anthropology | Bachelor | 2 |
| Music | Bachelor | 2 |
| Public Health | Master | 2 |
Rankings Featuring This Institution
- Highest Earning Master's Natural Resources Programs
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Business Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Psychology Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Biology Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's English Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Master's Education Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Social Sciences Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Visual & Performing Arts Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Programs in Colorado
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Natural Resources Programs in Colorado
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