FB Pixel Skip to Main Content
A group of students celebrate at an orientation event.

Adventure
Starts Here

Experience Western through the eyes of a Mountaineer. 

There’s no better way to learn about Western Colorado University than through the stories of our current students. Check out our episode of The College Tour!

Women's History Month

Western is proud to celebrate Women's History Month for the month of March to honor the achievements and triumphs of women locally, nationally, and globally. Why is recognizing this month important at Western? Click below to read more.

Learn More

General Scholarship Application Now Open

Continuing students and new students for the spring and summer 2024 semesters may now access the General Scholarship Application to apply for funding opportunities. Click the link below for additional information.

Apply Here

2024 Application Now Open

Undergraduate and graduate applications are now open for the 2024-2025 academic year. Take your first steps toward becoming a member of the Mountaineer community today!

Apply Now

Get Your Questions Answered

Ready to discover more about Western? Reach out to the university admissions team to get all your questions answered. Request information today to get started.

Request Information

Visit Western

Western invites prospective students and their families to visit campus and explore our university in-person this summer. To learn more about campus visit options or schedule a time for a tour, click the link below.

Learn More

The College Tour

Mountain Sports

Living in the Gunnison Valley

Mountaineer Athletics

EPIC Mentorship Student Support Services

Rady Partnership Program

Student Living Residence Life

Experiential Learning & Sustainability

Recreation & Outdoor Education

News & Research

Western’s Outdoor Industry Lab wins $100,000 Grant Western’s Outdoor Industry Lab wins $100,000 Grant

Western Skimo Athlete Brianna Rickert Aims for Olympic Gold Western Skimo Athlete Brianna Rickert Aims for Olympic Gold

Western Nordic Wins At Home, Alpine Take On Powderhorn Western Nordic Wins At Home, Alpine Take On Powderhorn

Western announces plan to cover full tuition and fees for eligible students Western announces plan to cover full tuition and fees for eligible students

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Mar
19

Poetry reading: Sarah Cooper

Mar
21

LEAD (s) Clothing & Schwag SWAP Party

Mar
21

Western Theatre Company presents WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT

Mar
22

Drag Workshop #3 Heels N' Strut

Mar
22

KWSB Spring Formal

Mar
22

Western Theatre Company presents WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT

Mar
23

Spring Blasing Track Invite at CSU Pueblo

Mar
23

Western Theatre Company presents WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT

Mar
24

Spring Day of Service

Mar
26

Opera Colorado

View All Events

Your Future Starts Here


Areas of Study


Average Class Size


Faculty with the Highest Degree in Their Field


Graduate Employment Rate*

Western campus

The difference is the outcome.

At Western, our students are given the professional guidance and support necessary to develop real-world skills that lead to successful careers. Our highly personalized programs center around developing professionals ready to meet the demands of the modern workplace.

Through our distinct combination of academic merit, hands-on research opportunities and an inclusive student experience, we deliver an education that better meets what the market demands.

Explore Western

Inclusive Community

Our students and educators collectively believe that worldly views and different perspectives help provide a better education.

Western Colorado University

Where academic rigor meets awe-inspiring adventure.

Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University offers a vast outdoor research laboratory with unparalleled opportunities for students to learn and gain hands-on experience. Head out with your professor to track lynx, take part in an archaeological dig, join the robotics team to create your own machine or explore the brand-new labs in the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering. Take a closer look and you’ll see what makes Western such a special place.

Explore Our Programs

Research in our backyard

Nearly 80 percent of Gunnison County’s 3,239 square miles is federally owned land, making it an ideal environment for fieldwork.

We create a solid foundation for your future success.

At Western, we provide the knowledge and tools you need to make an impact in any field you choose. We’ve intentionally designed our curricula around practical experience to give you the industry knowledge you’ll need to excel. Explore our programs and learning opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else in higher education.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

At Western, we believe a relevant education goes beyond academic excellence and critical thinking. From our accomplished faculty members—to our state-of-the-art facilities, we’ll give you the real-world skills and knowledge you need for a successful and rewarding career.

Two students conduct research in a wildlife ecology lab focused on forest fires.

School of Graduate Studies

Western Colorado University’s School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is comprised of cutting-edge graduate programs committed to accelerating your career. Upon joining our graduate community, you will become part of an expansive network of graduate professionals who are eager to learn, interact and explore together.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated Degree Programs

Western Colorado University offers a variety of Accelerated Degree programs that allow you to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Our Accelerated Degree programs are designed to jump start your career, while saving you time and money.

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering

Our engineering programs combine academic rigor with practical application in our new, cutting-edge facilities, classrooms, and labs. Work towards a University of Colorado Boulder engineering degree, while enjoying the personal attention, small class sizes, and spectacular surroundings of Western Colorado University.

Several students use laptops to work on homework together in a study space.

School of Business

The business world can be extremely rewarding for those who are well-prepared. A strong foundation in business will enable you to enjoy the long-term gains of your career–regardless of the fluctuations of the economy. Western Colorado University’s unique model of business education is dedicated to comprehensively preparing you for the global marketplace.

School of Environment and sustainability

Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability

We empower students to foster community transitions to ecologically resilient, economically sustainable and socially-just energy, food, water and land-use systems. Our students have monitored forests on snowshoes, managed a campus organic farm, addressed climate change and collaborated with diverse global communities.

A student types on a laptop.

Adult Degree Completion

Earning a college degree is a goal for millions of Americans, but sometimes life gets in the way. Western Colorado University’s Adult Degree Completion program serves to aid professionals with some college experience in finishing their credit requirements and earning a bachelor’s degree in a flexible, accessible and completely online environment. Let’s finish what you started.

Discover your story at Western.

The unique outcomes of the education at Western become the stories we tell. Our students are more than successful, they are personally fulfilled and recognized as leaders within their communities and industries.

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western
Students pose for a photo on top of Mount Crested Butte in the summer

Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western
Colorado Hall with the Palisades in the background on a bluebird day.

Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community
A group of four alumni look at an old photo that one of them picked up from a selection of photos that were printed and laid out for the Ski Team Social event.

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request
Information
A few students pose for a photo behind the Multicultural Center table at the Admitted Student Day Club Fair.

Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.