Western Colorado University (128391)

www.western.edu

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2022 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,936

1.76% growth from 2021

2022 Average Net Price

$16,672

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2022 Acceptance Rate

91.8%

3,116 Applicants

2022 Enrolled Students

3,548

53.5% Full-Time

2022 Graduation Rate

46.8%

216 Graduates

About

Western Colorado University (128391) is a higher education institution located in Gunnison County, CO. In 2022, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Colorado University (128391) were General Business Administration & Management (80 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (47 degrees), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (37 degrees).

In 2022, 607 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Colorado University (128391). 52.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 47.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (465 degrees), 8.61 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (54 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $6,936, which is $−17,060 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

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 2022, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $6,936, which is $17,060 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $16,672.

In 2022, 48% of undergraduate students attending Western Colorado University (128391) received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 24% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,936

2022 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2022, the cost of tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) was $6,936. The cost of tuition at Western Colorado University (128391) is $−17,060 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

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

Average Net Price

$16,672

2022 Value

4.68%

1 Year Growth

In 2022 Western Colorado University (128391) had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,672. Between 2021 and 2022, the average net price of Western Colorado University (128391) grew by 4.68%.

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

$10,917

Room and Board

$1,300

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Colorado University (128391) was of $10,917 in 2022. The cost of room and board increased by 2.44% between 2021 and 2022.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,300. The cost of books and supplies did not change 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

24%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

48% of undergraduate students at Western Colorado University (128391) received financial aid through grants or loans in 2022. This represents a decline of 20% with respect to 2021, when 60% 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 3,116 undergraduate applications in 2022, which represents a 3.92% annual growth. Out of those 3,116 applicants, 2,862 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 91.8% acceptance rate.

There were 3,548 students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2022. 37% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Colorado University (128391) has an overall enrollment yield of 15.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

91.8%

Acceptance Rate in 2022

2,862

Accepted Out of 3,116

In 2022, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Colorado University (128391) was 91.8% (2,862 admissions from 3,116 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2021, which was 90.9%. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of applicants declined by 3.92%, while admissions declined by 2.88%.

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

37%

Submission Percentage (2022)

160

Scores Submitted (2022)

37% of enrolled first-time students at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2022 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 3,548 students in 2022. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) is 1,897 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,651. This means that 53.5% 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 59.4% White, 20.8% Hispanic or Latino, 4.74% Black or African American, 2.9% Two or More Races, 2.73% Asian, 1.13% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.536% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (41.1%), followed by White Female (29.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (6.45%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (52.4%), followed by White Male (30.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (3.81%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

53.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2022, both undergraduate and graduate, is 3,548 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Colorado University (128391) is 1,897 and the part-time enrollment is 1,651. This means that 53.5% of students enrolled at Western Colorado University (128391) are enrolled full-time compared with 67.6% 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

77%

2022 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 77%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Colorado University (128391) had a retention rate higher 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 (2022)

White
2,107 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
739 enrolled students
Black or African American
168 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Colorado University (128391) is 59.4% White, 20.8% Hispanic or Latino, 4.74% Black or African American, 2.9% Two or More Races, 2.73% Asian, 1.13% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.536% 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 51.2% White, 17.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 13% 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, 261 students (7.36%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2022, 29 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 (465 degrees awarded). There were 8.61 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (54 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Colorado University (128391) is General Business Administration & Management (80 degrees awarded), followed by General Biological Sciences (47 degrees) and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (37 degrees).

In 2022, 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 Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (57 degrees awarded), English (39 degrees), and Biology (69 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 (475,304 people), Postsecondary teachers (305,482 people), Other managers (305,417 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (273,431 people), and Secondary school teachers (195,712 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University (128391) in 2022 are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (57 degrees awarded), English (39 degrees), Biology (69 degrees), Physical Sciences (17 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (44 degrees) (as of 2022).

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, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Nurse anesthetists, and Chief executives & legislators

The most specialized majors at Western Colorado University (128391) are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (57 degrees awarded), English (39 degrees), Biology (69 degrees), Physical Sciences (17 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (44 degrees) (as of 2022).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

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 Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (660,170 people), Elementary & secondary schools (651,307 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (631,723 people), Offices of physicians (250,898 people), and Computer Systems Design (242,210 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 (2022)

General Business Administration & Management
80 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
47 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
37 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Colorado University (128391) was General Business Administration & Management with 80 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 2022

318

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2022

In 2022, 289 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391), which is 0.909 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (318).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2022, 73 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391) in General Business Administration & Management, which is 2.03 times more than the 36 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2022, 38 degrees were awarded to men at Western Colorado University (128391) in General Education, which is 2.53 times more than the 15 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

28%

100% Completion Time

50%

150% Completion Time

In 2022, 28% 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, 50% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 51% 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.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2022 at Western Colorado University (128391) is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (73.2%).

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, 6.02% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2022)

White
465 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
54 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
21 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Colorado University (128391) is white (465 degrees awarded). There were 8.61 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (54 degrees).

7.74% of degree recipients (47 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2022)

White Female
251 degrees awarded
White Male
214 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
28 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Colorado University (128391) is white female (251 degrees awarded). There were 1.17 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (214 degrees).

Operations

Western Colorado University (128391) has an endowment valued at nearly $9.02M, as of the end of the 2022 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of −1.01M (−11.2%) compared to the 0.773% average return (360k on 46.6M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2022, Western Colorado University (128391) had a total salary expenditure of 63.3M. Western Colorado University (128391) employs 55 Lecturers, 36 Professors and 34 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Colorado University (128391) are Female Lecturer (28), Male Lecturer (27), and Male Professor (25).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 45 employees, Service, with 34 employees, and Management with 26 employees.

Endowment

$9.02M

2022 Endowment

11.5%

decline from 2021

Western Colorado University (128391) has an endowment valued at about $9.02M, as of the end of the 2022 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Colorado University (128391) declined 11.5% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $37.6M 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

$23.3M

2022 Salaries

8.08%

growth from 2021

In 2022, Western Colorado University (128391) paid a median of $23.3M in salaries, which represents 36.7% of their overall expenditure ($63.3M) and a 8.08% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.867% growth between 2020 and 2021, and a 3.29% growth between 2019 and 2020.

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

Instructional Salaries

$8.67M

Instructional Salaries

136

Number of Employees

In 2022, Western Colorado University (128391) paid a total of $8.67M to 136 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.3M (31.2%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Lecturer

Most Common Instructor

55 Employees

Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

45 Employees

In 2022, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) were Lecturer with 55 employees, Professor with 36 employees, and Assistant professor with 34 employees.

In 2022, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 45 employees, Service with 34 employees, and Management with 26 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2022)

Female Lecturer
Male Lecturer
Male Professor

In 2022, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Colorado University (128391) was Female Lecturer with 28 employees, Male Lecturer with 27 employees, and Male Professor with 25 employees.

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

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