Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado · Public · 99.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 38/100 · Poor Value
Western Colorado University in Gunnison posts a Poor Value score of 38 out of 100. The drivers are familiar: median earnings six years out are just $32,500, ten-year earnings reach $46,833, and the resulting earnings premium of 18% generates a 17.4-year payback period. In-state tuition is reasonable at $11,318, but the average net price of $16,425 reflects substantial room-and-board costs in a remote mountain town, putting four-year total cost at $65,700. Median debt is $20,250, producing a 0.623 debt-to-earnings ratio that is not catastrophic but is far from comfortable. Completion is 50.5% - mediocre - and the federal repayment rate is 73.5% at one year, dipping to 65.2% at five years, suggesting a real chunk of borrowers struggle mid-career. The school's identity is partly outdoors and recreation-focused (Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Kinesiology) and that program mix produces structurally low reported earnings - many graduates take seasonal or lower-wage roles in the outdoor industry that pay in lifestyle rather than salary. Strong students who choose Business, Accounting, or Economics see meaningfully better outcomes than the school average suggests.
The data raises concerns about Western Colorado University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score38/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period17.4 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Western Colorado University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,318/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $24,434/yr |
| Average net price | $16,425/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $65,700 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,833 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $215 |
| Estimated payback period | 17.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,586 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Western Colorado University is $11,318/year ($24,434/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,425/year, or roughly $65,700 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,490/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,396/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $215 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,833 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.62 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,490 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,868 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,908 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,928 |
| $110,001+ | $21,396 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $11,490, and the $30,001-48,000 bracket pays slightly less at $10,868. The mild inversion likely reflects small-sample variation in the cohort. Either way, $44,000-46,000 over four years against $32,500 in early earnings is a real stretch, especially given the 50% completion rate. Students from this income tier should evaluate whether the school's specific programs justify the rural mountain-town cost-of-living premium baked into the net price.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $13,908 ($48,001-75,000) and $16,928 ($75,001-110,000). Aid tapers gradually. For these households the in-state public profile delivers reasonable value if the student picks a higher-earning major and completes on time.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $21,396 per year - $85,584 over four years. This is essentially out-of-state public pricing, and notably the out-of-state tuition figure is $24,434, so high-income in-state and any out-of-state student converge on a similar effective price. Worth weighing against CU Boulder or Colorado State, where outcomes are stronger at comparable cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Western Colorado University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,876 | C |
| Biology | $50,954 | D |
| Psychology | $47,401 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $40,636 | F |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $49,170 | D |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,865 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,426 | C+ |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $48,109 | D |
| Sociology | $57,359 | - |
| Economics | $53,403 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Largest program with 77 graduates. One-year earnings of $41,886 climbing to $61,876 at four years - a strong recovery curve. Median debt of $24,000 produces a 0.573 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Business is Western Colorado's most reliable financial outcome at scale; graduates head into Denver-metro corporate roles, family businesses, and Colorado tourism/recreation operators.
Biology
Forty-three graduates with one-year earnings of just $29,881 and $50,954 at four years. Median debt of $23,973 produces a 0.802 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. As is typical with bachelor's biology, graduates either continue to graduate or professional school (which boosts lifetime earnings well above this number) or take field/lab roles in environmental science that pay modestly. Strong pre-vet and pre-PA pathway from the Gunnison campus.
Natural Resources Conservation
Twenty-four graduates with one-year earnings of $26,123 and $49,170 at four years - typical conservation/forestry trajectory. Median debt is $21,612, producing a 0.827 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. Graduates work for the Forest Service, BLM, state wildlife agencies, and environmental nonprofits - work that pays in mission and access more than in salary. Students should plan for federal benefits and loan-forgiveness pathways (PSLF) to make the math work.
Psychology
Thirty-two graduates with one-year earnings of $32,352 and four-year of $47,401. Median debt is $26,000 - the highest on the list - giving a 0.804 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. Standard liberal-arts psychology pattern: most graduates need a master's or doctoral degree to earn meaningfully more, and the bachelor's-only path lands in moderate-paying roles in social services or HR support.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Thirty-two graduates with the program's worst outcome: one-year earnings of just $21,038 and four-year of $40,636. Median debt is $25,050 - producing a 1.191 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F grade. The bachelor's in Kinesiology is widely viewed as a pre-graduate-school credential (DPT, ATC, OT); those who do not continue to graduate work struggle in the labor market. Students entering this major should have a concrete grad-school plan from day one.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 73.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 99.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 555-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 608-683 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-26 |
| Enrollment | 1,586 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,628 |
Western Colorado essentially admits everyone who applies - the reported admission rate is 99.7%. SAT mid-ranges are 555-670 math and 608-683 reading; ACT composite mid-range is 22-26. The interesting nuance: while the school is non-selective on paper, its yielded student body actually scores in the middle-to-upper academic range for state regionals. Many students self-select for outdoor recreation and ski-town lifestyle rather than competitive academics. The 50.5% completion rate reflects that some matriculate without strong academic preparation or persistence.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Federal peers include Adams State University (Alamosa, CO), CU Denver-Anschutz, New Mexico Highlands, University of Maine at Presque Isle, and Delta State University. The CU Denver-Anschutz pairing is misleading - that is a medical-research campus with totally different outcomes. Of the genuine peers, Adams State is the closest comparable (small rural Colorado public, similar enrollment, similar net price); Western Colorado's repayment and earnings are roughly on par with Adams. New Mexico Highlands and Presque Isle post similar rural-public ROI profiles.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Colorado University (this school) | 38 | $16,425 | $46,833 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 76 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | 39 | $7,035 | $40,956 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | 39 | $14,838 | $45,937 |
| Adams State University | 29 | $12,980 | $44,372 |
| Delta State University | 29 | $13,540 | $41,991 |
Who Thrives Here
Small public university with 1,586 students in a mountain-town location. Pell rate is just 12% - one of the lowest among rural publics - which reflects the lifestyle-driven applicant pool (many students come from out-of-state middle-class families seeking the ski-town experience). It fits students who genuinely want the Gunnison location and the outdoor program portfolio (Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Studies), and who are prepared to either accept lower-wage outdoor-industry careers or use the school as a strong base for Business or Economics. The Business Administration program (77 grads, 4-year earnings $61,876) is the largest and one of the better outcomes.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Western Colorado University. With a net cost of $16,425 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,833 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 17.4 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 50.5% graduation rate and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,250 against $46,833 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.