After Western Colorado University: graduation, pay and debt
Gunnison, Colorado · Public · 1,586 undergrads
51% of Western Colorado University students finish within six years, the typical student earns $53,355 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $20,151 in federal loans at the median.
The short answers
$53.4k
median pay 10 years after starting college.
51%
finish within six years.
32%
finish in four years.
72%
of first-years come back for year two.
$20.2k
median federal debt at graduation.
63%
of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.
All the federal numbers
Finishing
Finished in four yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
32%
Finished within six yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
51%
First-years who came back for year twoCollege Scorecard, fall 2024
72%
Men who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
43%
Women who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
62%
Students in that six-year groupIPEDS, students who started in 2017
446
Earned a degree or certificate here within eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
48%
Still enrolled here after eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
34%
Students in that eight-year groupIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
486
Pay after college
Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard
$44,946
Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23
$53,355
Earning more than $25,000 six years after startingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
54%
Debt and paying it back
Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
$20,151
Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release
$12,000
Median federal debt, students with a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$14,190
Median federal debt, students without a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$10,912
Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
63%
Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
65%
Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
71%
Where these numbers come from
- Admit rate and applicants: IPEDS, fall 2024 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Updated Oct 31, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers