Cost of Western
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $26,610 |
|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $11,511 |
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| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $24,963 |
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| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,083 |
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| Books and supplies | $1,350 |
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| Average net price after aid | $16,756 |
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Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|
| $0–30,000 | $9,201 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $9,687 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $8,951 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $16,593 |
| $110,001+ | $20,671 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Western's net price calculator ↗.
Majors and programs at Western
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (27)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 41 | $72,533 | $21,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 130 | $46,919 | $19,097 |
| Sociology | 27 | $44,685 | $25,034 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 63 | $37,177 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 35 | $36,476 | $24,531 |
| Biology | 96 | $34,919 | $18,619 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 43 | $34,852 | $12,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 34 | $33,893 | — |
| Psychology | 63 | $32,697 | $23,568 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 40 | $32,463 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 9 | — | — |
| Anthropology | 6 | — | — |
| Business/Corporate Communications | 1 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 9 | — | — |
| Economics | 19 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 19 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | — | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 10 | — | — |
| History | 16 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | 17 | — | — |
| Music | 3 | — | — |
| Physics | 2 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 18 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 18 | — | — |
Certificate programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Geography and Cartography | 14 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 24 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 4 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (9)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 41 | $74,959 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 68 | $51,804 | $34,980 |
| Education | 83 | $49,730 | $20,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 64 | $47,828 | $41,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 6 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 15 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 22 | — | — |
| Public Health | 6 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 24 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 1 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Colorado
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|
| Adams State University | Alamosa | $8,585 | — | $51,295 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo | $8,851 | 95% | $58,700 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango | $20,090 | 77% | $49,164 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy | — | 14% | — |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | $18,711 | 86% | $56,980 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden | $32,901 | 61% | $102,077 |
| Colorado State University Global | Denver | $17,732 | 98% | $82,047 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | $14,954 | 97% | $61,386 |
All colleges in Colorado →
Frequently asked questions
What is Western's acceptance rate?
Western Colorado University admits 100% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,230 on the SAT.
How much does Western cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $26,610 a year (tuition and fees: $11,511 in-state, $24,963 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $16,756 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $9,201.
How much do Western graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $53,355 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 14th of 22 similar colleges in Colorado. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer and information sciences ($72,533 a year after graduation).
What is Western's graduation rate?
48% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 72% of first-year students return for a second year.