Overview
Gunnison, CO Western Colorado University is a public 4-year college located in Gunnison, Colorado. There are currently 1,673 undergraduates at WCU and the school’s acceptance rate is 92%. The tuition at WCU is $10,813 for in-state students and $22,837 for out-of-state.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$25,635
$22,484
$15,175
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$25,635for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$37,659for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since WCU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at WCU is $25,635 for in-state students in CO, and $37,659 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at WCU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Western Colorado University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Western Colorado University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Western Colorado University is 001372.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
WCU is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at WCU. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Western Colorado University
28% of students at Western Colorado University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Western Colorado University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
WCU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
92%
24
Is WCU test-optional?
Western Colorado University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Rolling deadline at WCU
Western Colorado University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check WCU's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
16:1
Graduation Rate
47%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
20%
20% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
14%
14% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Social Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
9%
9% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Education
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,673
Pell Grant 14%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 7%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Percent Male / Female 58% / 42%
Ethnic Diversity at WCU
70% White
12% Hispanic
7% Unknown
4% Multiracial
3% Black
1% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$46,833
Median Debt $20,250
Debt 10 years after graduation $215
Graduation Rate 47%
What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
47% of students who start at Western Colorado University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 11% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Western Colorado University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Western Colorado University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $46,833. This is $3,558 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at WCU take out in loans?
Graduates of WCU have to take out a median of $20,250 in federal student loans. This is $6,750 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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