Western State College of Colorado
Western State College of Colorado School Description
Western State College of Colorado is more than just a college—it’s a destination. Highly qualified professors are accessible and committed to undergraduate teaching and learning. Small classes, personalized attention, and enriching co-curricular and extracurricular activities result in an outstanding college experience. Many of the academic programs take advantage of the remarkable mountain setting and rich natural resources and incorporate the environment into the learning experience.
Academics at Western are characterized by quality education in the classroom enriched by hands-on learning experiences. Western offers a wide variety of programs to fit diverse academic needs.
In addition to our degree programs, the Honors Program provides enhanced and challenging academic programming to a carefully selected group of highly motivated and accomplished students from all disciplines.
Western State College of Colorado is a great place to get involved and make an impact. Join one of our clubs or start your own! Find you niche whether its joining Western's Mountain Rescue Team- the only college-based team in the country-or writing for the Top 'O the World Student Newspaper. Our Athletic Clubs are also extremely active- traveling all across the region competing against other college teams.
At an altitude of 7,700 feet, Western's campus among the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Gunnison, is beautiful and inspiring- this valley is a destination for a different kind of lifestyle. You'll find many ways to test your limits in this breathtaking and rugged alpine playground. Our quaint mountain towns are safe and relaxing, and offer something for everyone. Crested Butte is known as Colorado's “last great ski town” and is the official Wildflower Capitol of Colorado not to mention it is only 30 miles from Western's campus.
Only minutes from campus is some of the world's best powder for skiing, granite faces for bouldering and climbing, a whitewater park perfect for kayaking, and miles of trails to hike and mountain bike.
At Western State College of Colorado, you will have an unmatchable opportunity to extend your academic experience beyond the classroom. Our environment in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is beautiful, inspiring and motivating. Live in paradise, get your degree, change your life!
School Website: Western State College of Colorado
CollapseWestern State College of Colorado
From Wikipedia, The Free EncyclopediaWestern State College of Colorado is a four-year public liberal arts college located in Gunnison, Colorado. The enrollment stands at about 2400 students with a high percentage, one-fourth, from out of state. The far flung appeal for some students is found in the idyllic mountains and ski slopes. The most popular majors at Western are business, art, recreation, biology, architecture, bio-engineering, and a double major in business and recreation. Within the advanced science department, 78% of the staff have a doctorate degree with 3 of them being nominated for various awards including the Nobel Peace Prize in Scientific Achievement. Western also offers a state of the art petroleum geology program, founded and funded by Western State College alumni donations. The college's home town of Gunnison is located 30 minutes south of Crested Butte. The college also has one of the oldest collegiate radio stations in the state with 91.1 KWSB on the air since 1968.
History
The college was originally founded as The Colorado State Normal School for Children by a bill signed on April 16, 1901 by Governor James B. Orman. In 1923, the college's name was changed to Western State College because its role expanded from a teaching institution to a liberal arts college. Western State College was the first public college west of the Mississippi River to be designated a liberal arts college.
Athletics
Western State College's athletics are among the best in the nation in NCAA Division II. The athletic teams are nicknamed the Mountaineers. In addition to a rich tradition in football under former head coaches Bill Noxon and Carl "Duke" Iverson, the school boasts elite wrestling, cross-country, and track teams. History Professor and cross-country coach Duane Vandenbusche retired after the 2007 season after winning 13 national championships at the school. The wrestling program is coached by 2004 Division II coach of the year Miles Vanhee. Western also has a rich tradition in NCAA skiing. The school competes in the NCAA Championship Sport against Division I schools in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA). Another sport that competes at the Division I level is the Mens Basketball team which finished the 09' season with an astonishing 23W - 2L record. Western State Skiing was a charter member of NCAA Skiing when it was formed in 1954 under Coach Sven Wiik. The Womens Division X Horseshoeing team proudly owns 5 collegiate records including: Most Consecutive Wins during a single season. The team is currently coached by Jesse Crandall (Nordic) and Evan Weiss (Alpine). As of the 2008 fall semester not enough funds could be collected to allow the ski team to compete.
Quick Facts
- Location:
- Rockies
- Setting:
- Small Town Setting
- Type:
- Public
- Size:
- Medium (2,000 to 5,000 Undergrad)
- Mascot:
- Mountaineers
Students & Campus Life
- Undergraduate Enrollment:
- 2,253
- On Campus Housing:
- Available
- Full Time Students:
- 85%
- Athletic Programs:
- Available
Western State College of Colorado Degree Programs
Bachelors Degree Programs
Learn more about Bachelors Degree Programs
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Environmental Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling. See more Environmental Science Schools or Online Environmental Science School Degree Programs
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Environmental Science
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Arts & Humanities
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
A general program that focuses on the English language, including its history, structure and related communications skills; and the literature and culture of English-speaking peoples. See more English Language and Literature Schools or Online English Language and Literature School Degree Programs
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English Language and Literature
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Foreign Languages
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Spanish Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in Spanish philology, Modern Castillan, various Latin American dialects, regional Spanish dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings. See more Spanish Language and Literature Schools
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Spanish Language and Literature
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General Studies
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Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
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Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
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History
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History
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History
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Music
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General Music
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General Music
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Visual Arts
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Fine/Studio Arts
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images); theory of art; color theory; composition and perspective; anatomy; the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio; and art portfolio marketing. See more Fine/Studio Arts Schools
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Fine/Studio Arts
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English Language and Literature
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Business
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Accounting & Related Services
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Accounting
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Accounting
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Information Systems
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Management Information Systems
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Management Information Systems
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Management
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Business/Commerce
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Business/Commerce
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Accounting & Related Services
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Communication & Media
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Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
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Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
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Fitness, Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Parks, Recreation and Leisure
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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Physical Fitness
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Parks, Recreation and Leisure
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Life Science
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Biology
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Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology
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Mathematics and Statistics
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General Mathematics
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General Mathematics
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Natural Sciences
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Chemistry
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General Chemistry
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General Chemistry
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Geology
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Geology/Earth Science
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Geology/Earth Science
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Chemistry
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Social Sciences
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Anthropology
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General Anthropology
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General Anthropology
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Economics
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General Economics
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General Economics
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International Relations and Affairs
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General Political Science and Government
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General Political Science and Government
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Psychology
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General Psychology
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General Psychology
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Sociology
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Sociology
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Sociology
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Anthropology
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Western State College of Colorado Students & Campus Life
General
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Full-Time vs. Part-Time
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Men vs. Women
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Race/Ethnicity
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Geography
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In State vs. Out-of-State
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
Housing
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 53% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
Athletics
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) Basketball (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) Track (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) |
Western State College of Colorado Expenses (Tuition & Fees)
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-State | Out-of-State | |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 3,586 | $ 12,418 | |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 2,688 | $ 11,520 | |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 898 | $ 898 | |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,646 | 19% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 1,563 | 13% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 2,115 | 61% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 5,362 | 48% | |
Any Aid: |
75% |
Western State College of Colorado Admissions
| Acceptance Rate: | 91% (Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 89% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 440, Math: 450 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 560, Math: 560 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 25% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 19, Verbal: 18, Math: 17 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 23, Verbal: 23, Math: 24 |
Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)
| Application Fee: | $30.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Recommended |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Recommended |
| Recommendations: | Recommended |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
