At $16,773/yr net price, Western Colorado University graduates earn $46,833/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,833/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,773 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,092 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,833/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,833/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,573/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,926/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,090/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,658/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,621/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming. | Bachelor | $54,435 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $40,488 | $22,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master | $40,365 | $39,488 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $39,585 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $38,871 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $22,470 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $20,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,405 | $23,375 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $28,381 |
The Risk Factor
50.7% of students at Western Colorado University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Western Colorado University gives you a middling financial return. You'll leave with debt that's easy to manage against typical earnings, but those earnings sit low enough that the payoff comes slowly. Half of students who start here graduate, and about a quarter don't come back after the first year, so the return depends heavily on whether you finish.
Your major decides everything here. Computer Programming graduates out-earn Business Administration grads by more than $21,000 a year, and the Business Administration path also carries the heaviest debt load of the tracked programs. Accounting lands in the middle and pays for itself faster than general Business or Mathematics, both of which come in under the school's overall median. If you pick programming or accounting, the math works. If you pick general business, math, or management, you're taking on debt for earnings that lag the campus average.
The main risk is Gunnison itself. It's a small mountain town, and the regional job market is thin outside tourism and the university. Programming and accounting skills travel to Denver or remote work, but if you stay local, your earning power shrinks. The 50% graduation rate is the other risk: dropping out leaves you with debt and no degree.
This school fits you if you're aiming at a tech or accounting career and you'll actually finish. If you're drawn to general business or you're unsure of your major, the payback is weak enough to shop elsewhere.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,000 a year. Above $110,000, that more than doubles to about $21,600. The middle tiers climb steeply, so a family earning $75,000 to $110,000 pays nearly twice what a family under $48,000 pays for the same degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Colorado University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Western Colorado University's graduates earn $46,833 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $16,773 annually and typical debt of $20,250, the financial return is modest but manageable for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Western Colorado University?
Computer Programming leads Western Colorado University's earnings at $54,435 annually, followed by Accounting at $46,087. Education and Natural Resources majors earn around $40,000, while general business graduates average $39,585.
How much debt do Western Colorado University graduates typically have?
Western Colorado University graduates carry a median debt of $20,250, which is reasonable given the school's low net price. However, the 50.7% graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without finishing their degrees.
Does Western Colorado University have good job placement after graduation?
Western Colorado University's 10-year earnings of $46,833 suggest moderate job market success, though this varies significantly by major. The low graduation rate of 50.7% indicates many students struggle to complete their programs, which limits career prospects.