Gunnison, CO · Public

Western Colorado University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Western Colorado University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$25,736
Net Price$16,425
Median Earnings$46,833
Graduation Rate50.5%
Median Debt$12,000
Admission Rate99.7%
Student Count1,586
SAT Average1,230

Western Colorado University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $16,425
Money available $0
Still needed per year $16,425
Monthly gap $1,369

Four-year projection: about $65,700 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $12,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$46,833Total cost$25,736Net price$16,425Median debt$12,000

Value Score Comparison

Western Colorado Univer...54.2Dataset avg54.3CO avg54.5
Median earnings16% weaker than dataset average
$46,833
Total annual cost41% better than dataset average
$25,736
Average net price23% better than dataset average
$16,425
Graduation rate6.3 percentage points weaker than dataset average
50.5%
Median debt26% better than dataset average
$12,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

CO Average

Value Score: 54.5

Net Price: $21,318

Earnings: $57,292

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $16,425, compared with reported total cost of $25,736.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $46,833 and the graduation rate is 50.5%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $12,000, while the loan share is 19.7%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 99.7% and Pell Grant share is 12%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationGunnison, CO
Admission Rate99.7%
In-State Tuition$11,318
Out-of-State Tuition$24,434
Total Cost$25,736
Net Price$16,425
Median Earnings$46,833
Graduation Rate50.5%
Median Debt$12,000
Pell Grant Share12%
Loan Share19.7%
Average Faculty Salary$7,628
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 18.7 + graduation 12.6 + net price 9.5 + total cost 6.8 + debt 6.6 = 54.2/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings18.7$46,833 · max 40 pts
Graduation12.650.5% · max 25 pts
Net Price9.5$16,425 · max 15 pts
Total Cost6.8$25,736 · max 10 pts
Debt6.6$12,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.