Western Colorado University (128391)

www.western.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$7,128

2.77% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$17,709

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

97.5%

3,283 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

4,053

45.3% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

50.7%

226 Graduates

About

Western Colorado University (128391) is a higher education institution located in Gunnison County, CO. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Colorado University (128391) were General Business Administration & Management (77 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (43 degrees), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (32 degrees).

In 2023, 589 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Colorado University (128391). 50.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 49.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (417 degrees), 7.07 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (59 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $7,128, which is $−17,447 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Colorado University (128391) was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 523 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $7,128, which is $17,447 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,709.

In 2023, 48% of undergraduate students attending Western Colorado University (128391) received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 23% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$7,128

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) was $7,128. The cost of tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $−17,447 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Colorado University (128391) (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$17,709

2023 Value

6.22%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Western Colorado University (128391) had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,709. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Western Colorado University (128391) grew by 6.22%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Colorado University (128391) (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

$11,349

Room and Board

$1,350

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Colorado University (128391) was of $11,349 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 3.95% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,350. The cost of books and supplies increased by 3.85% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Colorado University (128391) (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

48%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

23%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

48% of undergraduate students at Western Colorado University (128391) received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2022, when 48% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Colorado University (128391) (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.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Colorado University (128391) was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 523 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Colorado University (128391) received 3,283 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 5.36% annual growth. Out of those 3,283 applicants, 3,200 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 97.5% acceptance rate.

There were 4,053 students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2023. 29% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Colorado University (128391) has an overall enrollment yield of 13.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

97.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

3,200

Accepted Out of 3,283

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Colorado University (128391) was 97.5% (3,200 admissions from 3,283 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 91.8%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 5.36%, while admissions grew by 11.8%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Colorado University (128391) (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

29%

Submission Percentage (2023)

122

Scores Submitted (2023)

29% of enrolled first-time students at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2023 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 (128391) had a total enrollment of 4,053 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) is 1,837 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,216. This means that 45.3% of students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Colorado University (128391), both undergraduate and graduate, is 60.1% White, 20.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.42% Black or African American, 3.36% Two or More Races, 2.1% Asian, 1.23% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.716% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (41.4%), followed by White Female (30.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (6.72%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (52.6%), followed by White Male (30.7%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (2.3%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

45.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 4,053 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) is 1,837 and the part-time enrollment is 2,216. This means that 45.3% of students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Colorado University (128391) (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

73%

2023 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 (128391) was 73%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Western Colorado University (128391) had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Colorado University (128391) (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
2,434 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
834 enrolled students
Black or African American
179 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Colorado University (128391) is 60.1% White, 20.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.42% Black or African American, 3.36% Two or More Races, 2.1% Asian, 1.23% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.716% 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 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% 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, 285 students (7.03%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 11 more women than men received degrees from Western Colorado University (128391). The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Colorado University (128391) is white (417 degrees awarded). There were 7.07 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (59 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Colorado University (128391) is General Business Administration & Management (77 degrees awarded), followed by General Biological Sciences (43 degrees) and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (32 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Colorado University (128391), meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Natural Resources & Conservation (65 degrees awarded), English (55 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (49 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 (128391) are Physicians (426,731 people), Other managers (252,939 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (228,334 people), Postsecondary teachers (217,187 people), and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (203,346 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2023 are Natural Resources & Conservation (65 degrees awarded), English (55 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (49 degrees), Biology (60 degrees), and History (9 degrees) (as of 2023).

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 (128391) are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Podiatrists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Media and communication workers, all other

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University (128391) are Natural Resources & Conservation (65 degrees awarded), English (55 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (49 degrees), Biology (60 degrees), and History (9 degrees) (as of 2023).

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 (128391) are Elementary & secondary schools (5,586,329 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,275,256 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (2,452,532 people), Computer Systems Design (2,343,824 people), and Construction (1,303,670 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 (128391).

Most Common (2023)

General Business Administration & Management
77 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
43 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
32 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Colorado University (128391) was General Business Administration & Management with 77 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Colorado University (128391) according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

289

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

300

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 289 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391), which is 0.963 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (300).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Colorado University (128391) by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 74 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391) in General Business Administration & Management, which is 2.85 times more than the 26 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 38 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391) in General Education, which is 3.17 times more than the 12 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

29%

100% Completion Time

48%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 29% of students graduating from Western Colorado University (128391) completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 48% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 50% 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 (69.8%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Western Colorado University (128391) is Female and White (69.8% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

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.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 11.9% of graduates (27 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
417 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
59 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
21 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Colorado University (128391) is white (417 degrees awarded). There were 7.07 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (59 degrees).

9.34% of degree recipients (55 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
223 degrees awarded
White Male
194 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
31 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Colorado University (128391) is white female (223 degrees awarded). There were 1.15 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (194 degrees).

Operations

Western Colorado University (128391) has an endowment valued at nearly $8.84M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 309k (3.5%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2023, Western Colorado University (128391) had a total salary expenditure of 73.1M. Western Colorado University (128391) employs 59 Lecturers, 48 Professors and 23 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Colorado University (128391) are Female Lecturer (33), Male Professor (31), and Male Lecturer (26).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) are: Management, with 49 employees, Service, with 39 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 36 employees.

Endowment

$8.84M

2023 Endowment

2.07%

decline from 2022

Western Colorado University (128391) has an endowment valued at about $8.84M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Colorado University (128391) declined 2.07% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $40.9M 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 (128391) (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: Small Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$25.2M

2023 Salaries

8.49%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Western Colorado University (128391) paid a median of $25.2M in salaries, which represents 34.5% of their overall expenditure ($73.1M) and a 8.49% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.08% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 0.867% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$9.39M

Instructional Salaries

139

Number of Employees

In 2023, Western Colorado University (128391) paid a total of $9.39M to 139 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Lecturer

Most Common Instructor

59 Employees

Management

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

49 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) were Lecturer with 59 employees, Professor with 48 employees, and Assistant professor with 23 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) were Management with 49 employees, Service with 39 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 36 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Female Lecturer
Male Professor
Male Lecturer

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) was Female Lecturer with 33 employees, Male Professor with 31 employees, and Male Lecturer with 26 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Colorado University (128391).

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