Western Colorado University

What are the graduation rates for students at Western Colorado University?

Western Colorado University's reported six-year graduation rate is 50% for the measured first-time, full-time undergraduate cohort. Its four-year rate is 35%. These rates track defined groups of entering students over time; they are not the share of all students who graduate in a given year.

The reported first-year retention rate is 72%, meaning that roughly seven in ten students in the measured cohort returned the following fall. Graduation measures can exclude some transfer and part-time students, so they may not describe an individual transfer student's likely timeline. Students comparing costs should note the difference between finishing in four years and taking additional terms: even when annual aid remains available, extra time can increase total educational expenses.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Western Colorado University?

Federal College Scorecard program data provide a limited look at earnings approximately one year after completion for graduates with reportable earnings records. The figures are program-level measures for the population represented in federal data, not starting-salary offers or predictions for every graduate.

For example, the reported one-year median is $40,324 for business administration and management and $37,592 for geological and earth sciences. Biology is reported at $26,963, while fine and studio arts is reported at $18,798. Differences can reflect occupations, further study, employment patterns, location, and the size and composition of each measured group; the figures do not isolate the effect of a Western degree.

When weighing a major, students can use these outcomes alongside program costs, likely debt, career interests, and the time needed for any additional credential. Western's career support includes individual and group counseling, résumé help, interview preparation, employer events, and alumni networking opportunities. Access to those services is not the same as a verified job-placement outcome.