Skip to content
Close
LOGIN
SEARCH
Apply Now
Apply Now

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado

3,900 Students on Campus
Gunnison Location
6,799 Metro Population
3,900 Students on Campus
Gunnison Location
6,799 Metro Population

About This Campus

Set at 7700 feet in the cradle of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado Universities 228-acre campus is awash in a sea of sage and framed by majestic granite peaks. We are a four-year, liberal arts university offering professional and pre-professional programs of study. Part of the closely-knit Gunnison community, our campus offers spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and a high alpine dessert. Our students are never more than minutes from world-class mountain biking, fly-fishing, alpine and nordic skiing, whitewater rafting and kayaking, and backpacking. Western is the oldest Colorado university west of the Continental Divide and is dedicated to providing a high-quality liberal arts education. Western is committed to its community and offers outreach through service-learning projects, field research, and volunteer opportunities.

At 7,723 feet and surrounded by two million acres of public lands creates an ideal for hands-on learning.

Free bus services provide access around town and up to Crested Bute and ski area. Airport in Gunnison. Daily bus service to Denver (DIA).

Over 100 areas of study with an average class size is 17 students. WCU opens the door to unique experiences and thrilling lifestyle.

Helpful Information

We required on campus housing because as with other popular resort areas around the country, off-campus housing can be difficult and very expensive. Being a small community and only a few blocks from grocery stores downtown restaurants and local award winning hospital are only a few blocks from campus and commuting to campus and around town is relatively easy. If student is looking to engage in community the Gunnison valley has many non-profits who would welcome volunteers.

Location Information

Gunnison is located in western Colorado about 4 hours from Denver. Gunnison has a regional airport with direct flights to Denver, parts of Texas and other locations throughout the year. There is a daily bus service to and from Denver as well. Within the Gunnison valley, students get around via Gunnison’s free bus system. This bus transports residents around Gunnison and up to Crested Butte including Mt. Crested Butte Ski Resort. Students are allowed to have a car on our campus and parking is free.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/25/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/17/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/08/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Elementary Education, Business Administration-Energy Management, CU Boulder - Western Partnership Programs and Art. Environmental Studies and Biology classes fill quickly and are difficult to register for every year. Registration is limited in music course and an audition is required for upper division music courses. Students must meet prerequisites to take classes from Biology Department. WCU does NOT facilitate internships for credit.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business Administration — Includes learning and mastering skills in all aspects of overseeing and supervising business operations from accounting to marketing.
  • Environmental Studies/Sustainability — ENVS comprehensive coursework and hands-on experience will prepare you to be a leader with skills and knowledge in environmental efforts anywhere.
  • Geology — Prepares students as a geoscientist in oil and gas industry. Learn technical and professional skills and make connections in industry.
  • Outdoor Environmental Education — Field-Based courses using vast Gunnison Valley as natural lab.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access:

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? -

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/01/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $7496
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $740
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Recycling Fee
$30
Year
Away & Home
Optional
Materials
$0
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
NSE Program Fee
$175
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Business Admin Course Fee
$45
Credit Hour
Away & Home
Mandatory
Renewable Energy Fee
$30
Term
Away & Home
Optional
Technology Fee
$68
Year
Away
Mandatory
Recreation Fee
$200
Term
Away
Optional
Orientation Fee
$50
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Economics Course Fee
$45
Credit Hour
Away & Home
Mandatory
Housing Fee
$250
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

To take course from School of Business (Administration, Accounting or Economics) there is an additional fee of $45.00 per credit hour. Some natural science laboratory courses may have additional fees. All additional fees are mandatory for Home or Away Pay students. Recreational fees include Mountaineer Field House ($200). Renewable Energy ($30) and Scholarly Activity ($20). For information about waiving these fees, email cashier@western.edu.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/01/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? Yes
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $0
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

On campus housing is required for NSE students. Off campus housing is limited and expensive in resort towns throughout Colorado.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $5456
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Fifteen meal per week meal plan

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS RESOURCES/LINKS:
CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: