Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Aurora vs Western Colorado University
Compare average net price ($8,656 at Community College of Aurora; $16,425 at Western Colorado University), ROI score (12.88 vs 7.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,592 vs $46,833), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Aurora; 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 | Community College of Aurora | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.88 ✓ | 7.13 |
| Avg net price | $8,656 ✓ | $16,425 |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,624 ✓ | $65,700 |
| In-state tuition | $4,470 | $11,318 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,070 | $24,434 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,592 | $46,833 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 99.7% |
| Graduation rate | 33.5% | 50.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 60.9% | 72.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,500 ✓ | $20,250 |
| Enrollment | 3,250 | 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 | Community College of Aurora | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,305 ✓ | $11,490 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,611 ✓ | $10,868 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,726 ✓ | $13,908 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,409 ✓ | $16,928 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,700 ✓ | $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 | Community College of Aurora | Western Colorado University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.1% | 17.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.6% | 2.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.4% | 2.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1% | 0.7% |
| Music | 0.1% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Aurora reports the lower average net price by $7,769 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,076 difference over four years ($34,624 vs $65,700).
Western Colorado University reports $2,241 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,833 vs $44,592). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 60.9% at Community College of Aurora and 72.4% at Western Colorado University. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 vs $20,250, respectively.
5 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
Community College of Aurora vs Western Colorado University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Aurora is cheaper — average net price $8,656 per year vs $16,425 at Western Colorado University. The annual difference of $7,769 adds up to about $31,076 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Western Colorado University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,833 vs $44,592 at Community College of Aurora. The gap in the federal data is $2,241. 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.