Welcome Future Mountaineer Parents

A cheerleader holds up the W while entering the Mountaineer Bowl.

Visit the Parent Portal

We focus on narrowing the gap between the cost of attendance and the student’s ability to pay. 100% of students are considered for financial aid, and 90% receive it.

We provide more than a college education; we generate an experience that inspires growth, sparks new passions, and prepares your student for a successful future.

By the Numbers

17:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

84%

Graduate Employment Rate

71%

Faculty with Highest Degree in Their Field

My Student is Ready to Choose Western

A student wearing a gown and raising her cap stands on a high alpine ridge at sunrise with big mountain views in the background.

Just one step remains to officially confirm your student’s commitment to Western: submitting the deposit. This secures their spot and provides them with stress-free time to apply for financial aid and scholarships, register, and complete any remaining paperwork.

Your student will confirm their spot at Western by following the steps below:

They will log into their Western Navigator using their application credentials.
They will then secure their spot by submitting the $200 deposit. If this presents a barrier, please have them reach out to their Admissions Counselor.

Visit Western Navigator

Do you need more information to help your student? We have emailed you credentials to access our Parent Portal.

The Parent Portal provides more resources to support your student’s college decision-making process and help you better understand why Western might be right for them.

Didn’t receive an email? Contact Admissions.

Visit Parent Portal

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.

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:

Merit Scholarships:

We offer a range of merit scholarships to recognize and reward your student’s academic achievements. They will be automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as they submit their application.

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.

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.

Yes, if your student is from one of 25 states in the West or Midwest, they’ll automatically get lower tuition rates once they submit their application.

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 25 Western or Midwestern states, 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.

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

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa

Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico

North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Direct Cost	Out-of-State	WUE Cost
Tuition	$20,424
Required Fees	$4,010	$4,010
Optional Fees**	$450	$450
Double Room***	$5,463	$5,463
Board (15-meal/week plan)	$5,297	$5,297
Total Annual Cost	$35,644

Central Plains

Central Plains (CP) tuition is a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. Incoming students who are residents of the following states and do not qualify for a merit scholarship are eligible for the CP tuition program.

For 2024-25, the discount is valued at $4,242 and is supplemented with a $2,000 Western Assist award for a total of $6,242 discount.

A map of the United States highlights the states qualifying for the Central Plains.

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas

- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska

Texas
Wyoming

One of the best ways to help your student understand if Western is the right place for them is by visiting! They will get their questions answered by faculty, current students, and admissions counselors as they explore our state-of-the-art facilities, residence halls, and dining options. Through our unique visit options, your student can connect with future classmates and start forming friendships before classes even begin.