Head-to-head · 2026
Adams State University vs Western Colorado University
Compare average net price ($12,980 at Adams State University; $16,425 at Western Colorado University), ROI score (8.55 vs 7.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,372 vs $46,833), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Adams State University; 99.7% at Western Colorado University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Adams State University | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.55 ✓ | 7.13 |
| Avg net price | $12,980 ✓ | $16,425 |
| 4-year avg net price | $51,920 ✓ | $65,700 |
| In-state tuition | $9,824 | $11,318 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,944 | $24,434 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,372 | $46,833 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 99.7% |
| Graduation rate | 39.4% | 50.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 50.7% | 72.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 ✓ | $20,250 |
| Enrollment | 1,250 | 1,586 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1230 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Adams State University | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,947 ✓ | $11,490 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,392 ✓ | $10,868 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,921 ✓ | $13,908 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,787 ✓ | $16,928 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,274 ✓ | $21,396 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Adams State University | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4% | 17.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 5.3% | 6% |
| Biology, General | 1.5% | 7.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.3% | 2.1% |
| Sociology | 2.5% | 4.4% |
| Psychology, General | 0.9% | 5.4% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.9% | 5.4% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 0.2% | 4.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Adams State University reports the lower average net price by $3,445 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,780 difference over four years ($51,920 vs $65,700).
Western Colorado University reports $2,461 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,833 vs $44,372). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50.7% at Adams State University and 72.4% at Western Colorado University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $20,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Adams State University vs Western Colorado University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Adams State University is cheaper — average net price $12,980 per year vs $16,425 at Western Colorado University. The annual difference of $3,445 adds up to about $13,780 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Western Colorado University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,833 vs $44,372 at Adams State University. The gap in the federal data is $2,461. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.