Kinesiology and exercise science
Ranked #416 of 459 for valueSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness · 31 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $40,636
- Ranked-college median: $53,707
- Median debt
- $20,500
- Ranked-college median: $21,500
Western Colorado University acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 99.7% (fall admissions, CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). 2,947 of 3,243 applicants were admitted. Middle 50% test scores: SAT Reading & Writing 608–683, SAT Math 555–670, ACT 22–26. Admissions details
What we know
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025- Students
- 1,586
Near the national median
National median 1,603
Western Colorado UniversityMiddle half of collegesNational median
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Five questions match you to a college identity, then show where Western Colorado University sits for you.
Take the fit quizAdmissions
Western Colorado University admitted 99.7% of 3,243 applicants.
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Applicants3,243
99.7% of applicants were admitted
- Admitted2,947
15.4% of admitted students enrolled (yield)
- Enrolled (first-year)455
Middle 50% test scores
- SAT Reading & Writing
- 608–683
- 200800
- SAT Math
- 555–670
- 200800
- ACT Composite
- 22–26
- 136
Your chances
Check your chancesYour SAT or ACT against Western Colorado University- SAT, middle 50%
- 1163–1353
- ACT, middle 50%
- 22–26
Cost & financial aid
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Average net price
$16,756
What students paid per year on average after grants and scholarships. Your price depends on family income.
Published price vs. what students paid
- In-state tuition & fees
- $11,511
- Out-of-state tuition & fees
- $24,963
- Average net price
- $16,756
Students receiving Pell Grants
- Pell Grant recipients
- 15.3%
Free tools
Plan your costs for Western Colorado University
- Can I afford it?Loan payment against what its graduates earn
- How much can I borrow?Federal loan limits and what is left to cover
- Will I get a Pell Grant?Estimate this year's award from your SAI
- What would I repay?Monthly payments on $27,000 of loans
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Plan the aid and loans
Aid & Loan Plan$14 once
A PDF that applies the 2026–27 federal aid rules to you and up to three colleges: Pell Grant, loan limits, the gap left and repayment.
Start with the Pell Grant estimator See a sample reportOutcomes
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
48%
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
72.4%
First-year retention
Students who return for a second year
Median earnings
$53,355
Former students who received federal aid
Programs at Western Colorado University
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard, field of study, 2025
Bachelor's majors where Western Colorado University is ranked in CollegesRef's value rankings. Earnings are medians 4 years after graduating, for graduates who received federal aid; the tick on each bar marks the median of all ranked colleges in that field.
Biology
Ranked #520 of 680 for valueBiology, General · 53 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $50,954
- Ranked-college median: $58,001
- Median debt
- $18,619
- Ranked-college median: $20,717
Business
Ranked #557 of 986 for valueBusiness Administration, Management and Operations · 53 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $61,876
- Ranked-college median: $64,860
- Median debt
- $19,097
- Ranked-college median: $21,375
Psychology
Ranked #621 of 814 for valuePsychology, General · 31 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $47,401
- Ranked-college median: $51,007
- Median debt
- $23,568
- Ranked-college median: $21,000
Academics
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Total students
1,586
Academic calendar
Semester
Carnegie classification
Master's university
A College or University that also has a medium number of Master’s Degree programs.
Colleges like Western Colorado University
Adams State UniversityAlamosa, CO
University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO
Location & details
Where the campus is, how far it sits from a major city, and other colleges within reach.
Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO, United States
Distances are straight-line miles, not driving distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.
Campus
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO, United States
- Public
- Master's university
Remote town
In a smaller urban cluster away from a large metro area.
- City
- Suburb
- Town (this campus)
- Rural
Nearest major cityDenver, CO · about 132 mi
In the city250 mi
- Calendar
- Semester
- Website
- western.edu
Colleges nearby
Colorado Mountain College72.2 miGlenwood Springs- Adams State University93.4 miAlamosa
Colorado Mesa University95.3 miGrand Junction
Fort Lewis College102.1 miDurango- United States Air Force Academy113.8 miUSAF Academy
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs114.9 miColorado Springs
Still have a question?
Ask about admissions, cost or campus life at Western Colorado University. Answers come from CollegesRef data.
Ask CollegesRefSpecial features
What sets this college apart, grouped by theme, each with what it means and the data or editorial tag behind it.
CollegesRef editorial
Cost & aid
Affordable
Lower cost than many comparable colleges for a typical family.
Average net price $16,756 a year after aid
Athletics
NCAA Division II · Competitive sports with partial scholarships and smaller programs.
- D-INCAA Division I
- D-IINCAA Division II (this college)
- D-IIINCAA Division III
- NAIANAIA
- NJCAANJCAA
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Admit rate, net price and outcomes for Western Colorado University and Adams State University, side by side.
Compare with Adams State UniversityFrequently asked questions
What is the Western Colorado University acceptance rate for 2026?
Western Colorado University admitted 99.7% of 3,243 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
How much is Western Colorado University tuition?
In-state tuition at Western Colorado University is $11,511 and out-of-state tuition is $24,963 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $16,756 a year.
What is the average net price at Western Colorado University?
The average net price at Western Colorado University, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $16,756 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
48% of first-time, full-time students at Western Colorado University graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
What colleges are similar to Western Colorado University?
The closest matches are Adams State University, University of Northern Colorado, and CU Colorado Springs, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.
Sources
Last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Admissions
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Cost
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Outcomes
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Enrollment
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Figures come from federal reporting. Text marked “CollegesRef editorial” is our own summary, and similar-college lists come from CollegesRef matching. How we source data
