Landing Page | Explore Your Passion

Seen from Van Tuyl Ranch, the collegiate

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Our unbeatable location features two nearby ski resorts, over 1,000 miles of trails, the largest body of water in the state, and more than 2 million acres of public land to learn and explore. You’ll be living in a real-life postcard!

Our small town and small campus guarantee that you’ll be known on a first-name basis and get the support you need to succeed. Whether you’re an athlete, adventurer, or artist, you’ll find your community at Western.

Top 3 Reasons to Choose Western

Four students smile in front of Teocalli at sunrise making a W with their hands.

Our Unbeatable Location

With over 2 million acres of public land, an extensive trail system, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort just 35 minutes from campus, Western offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and hands-on learning.

Two students wearing pink cowboy hats ride a tandem townie bike down main street and bring joy to community members during the Homecoming parade.

Our Close-Knit Community

Western and Gunnison are known for their strong sense of community. The people here are genuinely welcoming and supportive, creating an environment where you can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging.

Professor Dave Erbe points his ski pole uphill in front of his backcountry skiing class. Mount Crested Butte is seen in the background.

Our Class Environment

At Western, it’s easy to build meaningful relationships with professors both inside and outside the classroom. With an average class size of 17, you’ll work closely with your professors and have your education personalized to you.

See Us in Action

The Western Experience

A student wearing a graduation cap and gown slashes his skis and picks up snow with a blue sky and chairlift in the background.

Learning should extend beyond textbooks and the classroom. To ensure understanding and best prepare you for your future, we focus on providing hands-on experiences in each of our 110+ academic programs.

Whether collecting water samples in Crested Butte for a chemistry class or installing solar panels for the community as an energy management student, the opportunities are endless.

Not sure what you want to study? No problem, our Exploratory Studies program is designed to give you extra time to find your major without falling behind.

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A dorm room with two beds and two dressers inside Ute Hall.

Our residence halls create a safe and welcoming living environment for all students. Living on campus is essential to the Mountaineer experience and contributes to students building community and a strong connection to the University. First-year students will enjoy dorm-style living and can choose their own roommate (or be paired with one through our questionnaire).

Our Residence Life staff provides guidance and support, ensuring every student feels at home while navigating the exciting transition to college life.

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A skier slides a rail in front of the library while students cheer for him in the background. A motion blur effect is used in this photo.

Our students are notoriously welcoming and involved on campus. With over 50 student-run clubs and organizations to choose from, it’s easy for Mountaineers to find their community and connect with like-minded individuals. Check out some of our organizations:

Multicultural Center: The Multicultural Center provides a safe and welcoming space for students to meet other students from similar and different cultural backgrounds and features multiple student-run clubs.
Mountain Sports: Western’s Mountain Sports program is the first collegiate program of its kind, allowing outdoor athletes to train and compete in an affordable, structured team setting.
Wilderness Pursuits: From student-led exhibitions to on-campus gear rentals to a self-serve ski tune and bike shop, WP aims to make the outdoors more affordable and accessible for college students.

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Frequently Asked Questions

As one of Colorado’s most affordable universities, we offer a variety of financial aid options and merit scholarships. 80% of our students receive some form of financial aid. These scholarships are designed to make your education more affordable and accessible. Check out a few of our scholarship opportunities as well as a breakdown of tuition below:

First-Year Scholarship Award Levels:

New, first-year admitted students are considered for merit scholarships based on cumulative high school GPA; test scores are not a factor in our merit scholarship calculation. First-year merit awards are renewable for four years.

High School GPA	In-State Scholarship	In-State Per Year
3.35 to 3.749	East Merit	$2,500
3.75 to 3.999	Slate Merit	$3,500
4.0	Taylor Merit	$4,500

Renewal Requirements

A maximum of eight semesters of eligibility will be awarded to first-year students. To continue receiving a Merit Scholarship, students must:

Enroll and complete a minimum of 24 credit hours each year.
Maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA.
Meet satisfactory academic requirements.

Note: If students are awarded a Merit Scholarship and fail to maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.75, they will not default to their state’s tuition-discount program.

Transfer Scholarship Award Levels:

New students are evaluated as transfers if they have taken college courses after high school graduation. Transfer students with fewer than 24 college credits AND a minimum 2.5 college GPA will be considered first-year students for merit awards – see above.

New admitted transfer students are considered for merit scholarships based on cumulative college GPA. Merit scholarships are renewable for up to three years.

GPA	Scholarship	In-State Award
3.0-3.49 GPA	Advantage Award	$2,500
3.5-4.0	Scholars Award	$3,500
Two-Year College Honor Society Member	Phi Theta Kappa	$4,500

Renewal Requirements

A maximum of six semesters of eligibility will be awarded to transfer students. To continue receiving a Merit Scholarship, students must:

Enroll and complete a minimum of 24 credit hours each year.
Maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA.
Meet satisfactory academic requirements.

Note: If students are awarded a Merit Scholarship and fail to maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.75, they will not default to their state’s tuition discount program.

Cost & Aid

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers significant savings—students pay 150% of in-state tuition instead of full out-of-state rates. If you’re from one of the states below, you’ll automatically be considered when you apply—no separate application is required.

WUE is available to incoming students from eligible states who have not received a merit scholarship.

For 2025-26, the discount is valued at $6,242.

Map of the United States highlighting the states that can participate in the WUE tuition discount.

Alaska
Arizona
California
Hawaii
Idaho

Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon

South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “the return on college has held between 12 and 13 percent for the past three decades and was 12.5 percent in 2024—easily exceeding the threshold for a sound investment.”

But the value of college extends well beyond earnings. A liberal arts education at Western Colorado University teaches you how to think, not what to think. It expands your worldview, sharpens your communication skills, and builds adaptability in a rapidly changing world. College also helps you form lifelong networks, discover passions, and gain hands-on experiences that prepare you for both career success and personal growth.

With small classes where you can connect with your classmates and our dedicated faculty, a focus on hands-on learning, and our close-knit community on and off campus, we are committed to providing you with more than just a degree. Set against the unbeatable backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Western provides a transformational experience that will prepare you for a rewarding career and life after college.