Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Western Colorado University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 43% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 12th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CO wage index 1.14). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Western Colorado University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,204 | $63,922 | -16% | #638 of 796 | #728 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,886 | $61,876 | -9% | #727 of 1176 | #920 | $22,470 |
| Sociology | $43,178 | $57,359 | +9% | #118 of 462 | #195 | — |
| Economics | $53,403 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Biology | $29,881 | $50,954 | -11% | #653 of 841 | #765 | $17,065 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,123 | $49,170 | -11% | #206 of 265 | #238 | $19,646 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $25,903 | $48,109 | -6% | #40 of 63 | #48 | $14,753 |
| Communication and Media Studies | — | $47,426 | -16% | #520 of 660 | #594 | $20,750 |
| Psychology | $32,352 | $47,401 | -7% | #678 of 1027 | #893 | $26,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $21,038 | $40,636 | -26% | #592 of 610 | #605 | $23,375 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | $39,865 | -4% | #260 of 423 | #321 | — |
| English Language and Literature | — | $39,414 | -19% | #509 of 576 | #557 | — |
| Political Science and Government | $30,272 | — | — | — | — | $24,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,128 | $19,728 |
| Room | $5,304 | |
| Board | $5,183 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $26,151 | $38,751 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,573 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,926 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,090 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,658 |
| $110,001+ | $21,621 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Western Colorado University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Colorado University?
How much does it cost to attend Western Colorado University?
What is the graduation rate at Western Colorado University?
Is Western Colorado University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (D): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Western Colorado University?
Is there rental demand near Western Colorado University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Western Colorado University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Western Colorado University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology