Academic Comparison between Western Colorado and Naropa

Western Colorado University and Naropa University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Colorado is a four-year, public school located in Gunnison, CO and Naropa is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Boulder, CO.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Western Colorado is a public and Naropa is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Naropa has more expensive tuition & fees ($36,620) than Western Colorado ($24,434).
  • It is harder to admit to Western Colorado than Naropa.
  • Western Colorado has more students with 3,568 students while Naropa has 1,094 students.
  • Naropa has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Western Colorado's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • Western Colorado has more full-time faculties with 139 faculties while Naropa has 76 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Western Colorado Naropa
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Colorado Universityvs.Naropa University
Gunnison, ColoradoLocationBoulder, Colorado
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$11,318
Out-Of-State$24,434
2025 Tuition & Fees$36,620
43%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$9,574Average Amount of Financial Aid$21,187
99.71 %Acceptance Rates100.00 %
11.48 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)27.27 %
1,260SAT Score-
24ACT Score-
50 %Graduation Rate37 %
-Transfer-out Rate17 %
72 %Retention Rate54 %
3,568Student Population1,094
139Number of Faculties76
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services