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F A S T   F A C T S
Location | Gunnison
Population | 6,795
Enrollment | 3,418
Language | English
Calendar | Semester
Canada | Home & Host

Term Dates
Fall | 08/26-12/19
Spring | 01/13-05/9

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, CO

   
Average class size is 17 students
Over 100 areas of study
More than 2 million acres of public land surrounds Western Colorado University

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.

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.

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.
2024-2025 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Closed
Home Payment |Closed
Campus Availability & Deadlines
2025-2026 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Open
Understand Chances of Placement

Academics

RegistrationClosed Programs
Elementary Education, Business Administration - Energy Management, CU Boulder - Western Partnership Programs and Art. Environmental Studies and Biology classes are very difficult to get in to.

Limitations
Registration is limited in music courses and an audition is required for upper division music courses. Students must meet Western's prerequisites to take classes from the Biology Department. Western does NOT facilitate internships for credit.

Notable Academic Programs

  • Outdoor Environmental Education - Combine experiential, field-based courses that use the vast Gunnison Valley as a natural lab preparing you for variety of fulfilling careers.
  • Geology - Geology Program will prepare you as a geoscientist in oil and gas industry. Learning both technical skills and begin to make professional connections.
  • Environmental Studies/Sustainability - ENVS comprehensive coursework and hands-on experience will prepare you to be effective communicator, skills and knowledge and leader in environmental efforts anywhere.
  • Business Administration - Includes learning and mastering skills in all aspects of overseeing and supervising business operations from accounting to marketing.

Options
RA Exchange: Yes

Undergraduate Majors Open to NSE Students

Accounting, Actuarial Science, Anthropology... ++ show all

Conditions

GPA and Other Academic Requirements Exchange Preferences
  • Full-year exchange Accepted
  • Single term exchange Accepted
Summer Exchange
  • Not available
International Students (Visa Students)
  • Will not accept
Canadian Students - learn more
  • Will accept Home/Host Pay

Tuition / Finances

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/22/24

Finances Tuition and Fees Per Semester - Host Payment Students
  • Pay resident-rate tuition to your host campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your home campus
  • Estimated cost: $7403.
  • Figures are based on full-time enrollment.
Tuition and Fees - Home Payment Students
  • Pay regular tuition to your home campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your host campus.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Semester
  • Host Payment: 18 ($431 per additional hour)
  • Home Payment: 18 ($431 per additional hour)

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

Miscellaneous Fees - Per Semester

Purpose Amount Period Plan Status
NSE Program Fee $150.00 Semester Host & Home Mandatory
Housing Deposit $250.00 Semester Host & Home Mandatory
Recreation Fee $200.00 Semester Host Optional
Technology Fee $67.39 Year Host Mandatory
Orientation Fee $50.00 Semester Host & Home Mandatory
Recycling Fee $30.00 Year Plan A & B Optional
Business Administration course Fee $45.00 Credit Hour Host & Home Mandatory
Economics course Fee $45.00 Credit Hour Host & Home Mandatory
Renewable Energy Fee $30.00 Semester Host & Home Optional
Accounting Fee $45.00 Credit Hour Host & Home Mandatory
Course Fees / MaterialsVariesSemesterHost & HomeMandatory

Important Notes: To take course from the School of Business (Business Administration, Accounting or Economics courses) there is an additional fee of $45.00 per credit hour for the 2024 - 2025 school year subject to change for following years. Some natural science laboratory courses may have additional fees. All additional fees are mandatory for both Host and Home students. Replacement WCU ID card fee may be applied if lost. **Recreational fees include Mountaineer Field House ($200), Renewable Energy ($30) and Scholarly Activity ($20). For information about waiving these fees, email cashier@western.edu.

Room / Meals

Figures are current as of 11/22/24

On-Campus Housing Per Semester
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Approximate cost: $5794 (includes meals)
  • Students must live on campus
Notes About Housing
The sooner you complete a housing application the more likely you will be able to get a campus apartment. If the apartments are full, you will be assigned to a suite-style residence. The mandatory on campus living requirement may only be appealed through the NSE Coordinator for rare and/or extreme circumstances.

Meal Plans

Notes About Meal Plans
See our website for additional meal plan options through Rare Air Café. All plans include flex dollars that can be spent at Mad Jack's Café.

Health

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/22/24

Exchange with Canada - Health Insurance
Students do not need to purchase health insurance.

Requirements

    All data in this document is the responsibility of the campus and has been provided by the campus NSE coordinator.
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