At 7,723 feet and surrounded by two million acres of public lands creates an ideal for hands-on learning.
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
Welcome to Our Side of the Mountains. Western Colorado University is the first recognized educational institution on Colorado’s Western Slope, a region renowned for its breathtaking Rocky Mountain landscape. Our campus offers unbeatable access to both outdoor recreation and research. Here, hands-on learning, dedicated faculty, and small class sizes come together to deliver a truly personalized educational experience. Students immerse themselves in small-town and mountain living, often spending their study breaks and weekends on the trails, by the river, or at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. From the Whitewater Club to Club Sports to the Black Student Alliance, we offer over 50 student-run organizations to support students in finding their place and purpose on campus. At Western, you’ll learn with passion, become part of a close-knit community, and live life to the fullest.
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
To maximize your experience and ensure success, we require on-campus housing for all National Student Exchange students. Click here to learn more about NSE at Western.
Location Information
Our campus is located in Gunnison, Colorado, approximately 3.5 hours from Denver. Gunnison has a regional airport with direct flights to Denver, parts of Texas, and other locations throughout the year. There is also a daily bus service to and from Denver. Within the Gunnison Valley, students utilize Gunnison’s free bus system, which transports residents around Gunnison and up to the world-class ski town of Crested Butte and Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Students are permitted to have a car on our campus, and parking is available free of charge.
Academics
REGISTRATION:
- Course Catalog
- Majors and Minors Website
- Registration Timing: With Seniors
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:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Anthropology
- Applied Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Athletic Training
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Life Science
- Biomedical Science
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Clinical Psychology
- Coaching
- Computer and Information Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Network Security
- Conservation Biology
- Counseling
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Data Processing
- Dietetics
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Elementary Education
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- Exercise Science
- Experimental Psychology
- Film
- Finance/Banking
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Global Studies
- Government
- Graphic Design
- History
- Hospitality Management
- International Business
- Kinesiology
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Music Education
- Nutrition
- Performance and Directing
- Pharamacology
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physical Therapy
- Physics
- Physiological Psychology
- Physiology
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Medicine
- Psychology
- Rural Sociology
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Sports and Leisure Studies
- Sports Management/Administration
- Studio Art
- Sustainable Resource Management
- Theater Arts/Drama/Acting
- Tourism Management
- Web Design
- Wildlife Biology
Conditions
GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
- General Eligibility Requirements
- 2.5 - GPA Required
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
- Full Year Exchange: Accepted
- Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
- Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
- Receive from Canada: Will Accept Pay
- Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No
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.
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!