# Western Colorado University

> Western Colorado University's acceptance rate is 99.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 3,243 applicants). It is a public university in Gunnison, CO, with 1,586 students. The average net price after grants is $16,756 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 48%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $53,355.

Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Federal source years are listed with each table.

- Profile: https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-colorado-university-3225
- Location: Gunnison, CO, United States
- Setting: Remote town
- Control: Public
- Classification: Master's university
- Official website: https://www.western.edu/
- IPEDS Unit ID: 128391
- Last verified by CollegesRef: 2026-11-03

## Admissions

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Applicants | 3,243 |
| Admitted | 2,947 |
| Acceptance rate | 99.7% |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (25th–75th percentile) | 608–683 |
| SAT Math (25th–75th percentile) | 555–670 |
| ACT Composite (25th–75th percentile) | 22–26 |

## Cost

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| In-state tuition | $11,511 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,963 |
| Average net price (per year, after grants) | $16,756 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 15.3% |

## Outcomes

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Graduation rate (within six years) | 48% |
| First-year retention rate | 72.4% |
| Median earnings (10 years after entry) | $53,355 |

## Enrollment

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Total students | 1,586 |

## Frequently 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.

## Related pages

- [Western Colorado University Tuition 2026](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-colorado-university-3225/financial)
- [Western Colorado University Rankings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-colorado-university-3225/rankings)
- [Western Colorado University Earnings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-colorado-university-3225/outcomes)
- [Colleges similar to Western Colorado University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/western-colorado-university-3225)
- [Compare Western Colorado University with other colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/compare?slugs=western-colorado-university-3225)
- [College Scorecard entry](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?128391)
- [College Navigator entry](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128391)

---

Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-colorado-university-3225. Figures are federal reports (IPEDS and the U.S. College Scorecard); cite the data year shown with each table. Blank measures were not reported and are left out rather than estimated.