Western Colorado University vs. University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)

Compare two schools with tuition, admission, test scores, and more academic characteristics.

  • Both Western Colorado University and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) are public.
  • Both schools are located in Colorado.
  • CU Boulder has more expensive tuition of $41,943 than Western Colorado University ($23,683).
  • CU Boulder has tighter acceptance rate of 79.84% than Western Colorado University (85.98%).
  • CU Boulder has higher SAT scores of 1,280 than Western Colorado University (1,130).
  • CU Boulder is larger with 39,585 students than Western Colorado University (3,548 students).
Western Colorado University
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University of Colorado Boulder

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#13 in Colorado
Rankings#177 in National Universities
#7 in Colorado
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Gunnison, COLocationBoulder, CO
Known asCU Boulder
1 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Master's
Offered DegreesBachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
Tuition & Fees
$11,083 Colorado residents
$23,683 out-of-state
Undergraduate$16,430 Colorado residents
$41,943 out-of-state
$15,550Graduate$17,462 Colorado residents
$38,020 out-of-state
$9,835Financial Aid$11,017
Admission
$30 undergraduate
$50 graduate
Application Fee$65 undergraduate
$60 graduate
85.98%Acceptance Rate79.84%
26.61%Yield22.76%
1,130 SAT, 25 ACTTest Scores1,280 SAT, 29 ACT
Student Population
3,548Total Students39,585
3,095Undergraduate31,034
453Graduate8,551
890Online Enrollment3,156
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
46%Graduation Rate74%
17%Transfer-out Rate15%
77%Retention Rate88%
$43,400Average Earning after Graduation$59,700
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 1,241)
$5,304 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 7,500)
✔ (19 meals per week)
$4,982 average annual costs
Meal Plan✔ (19 meals per week)
Faculties and Staffs
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
136 Full-time
40 Part-time
Number of Faculties1,711 Full-time
975 Part-time
332 Full-time
55 Part-time
Number of Staffs7,722 Full-time
1,726 Part-time
$62,572 for Faculties
$53,451 Part-time
Average Salary$108,398 for Faculties
$76,693 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023