# Western Colorado University

> four-year public liberal arts college located in Gunnison, Colorado

**Wikidata**: [Q2564975](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2564975)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Colorado_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/western-colorado-university

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Western Colorado University**:

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## Summary  
Western Colorado University is a four-year public liberal arts college located in Gunnison, Colorado. Founded in 1901, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs with a focus on arts, sciences, and professional fields. The university is known for its small class sizes, outdoor recreation opportunities, and membership in the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 1901  
- **Location**: Gunnison, Colorado (coordinates: 38.549273°N, -106.918495°W)  
- **Type**: Public liberal arts university  
- **Enrollment**: 3,203 students (as of 2020)  
- **Admission rate**: 88% (2020)  
- **Athletics**: Competes as the Western Colorado Mountaineers  
- **Carnegie Classification**: Master's colleges and universities with small programs  
- **Member of**: Association of American Colleges and Universities, Colorado Association of Libraries  
- **Former names**: Western State College of Colorado, Western State Colorado University  

## FAQs  
### Q: Where is Western Colorado University located?  
A: It is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a small town in the Rocky Mountains known for outdoor recreation.  

### Q: What is the admission rate at Western Colorado University?  
A: As of 2020, the admission rate was 88%, making it a moderately selective institution.  

### Q: What degrees does Western Colorado University offer?  
A: It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields, operating on a semester-based academic calendar.  

## Why It Matters  
Western Colorado University plays a significant role in providing accessible higher education in rural Colorado. Its liberal arts focus emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, preparing students for diverse careers. The university’s location in Gunnison offers unique opportunities for environmental and outdoor education, aligning with its strengths in fields like environmental science and recreation. As a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, it upholds standards of academic excellence and innovation. Its small size fosters close student-faculty relationships, enhancing the educational experience.  

## Notable For  
- **Outdoor Focus**: Proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides unparalleled access to outdoor activities and research.  
- **Small Programs**: Recognized by Carnegie as a "master's college with small programs," emphasizing personalized education.  
- **Name Evolution**: Transitioned from Western State College of Colorado to its current name, reflecting its expanded mission.  
- **High Undergraduate Focus**: Classified as "very high undergraduate" with selective, residential programs.  

## Body  
### History  
- Founded in 1901 as a public institution.  
- Originally named Western State College of Colorado before rebranding to Western Colorado University.  

### Academics  
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based.  
- **Programs**: Offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields.  
- **Carnegie Classification**: Includes "master's colleges and universities: small programs" and "very high undergraduate."  

### Campus and Location  
- **Address**: 1 Western Way, Gunnison, CO 81231.  
- **Surroundings**: Located in Gunnison County, near the Rocky Mountains.  

### Demographics  
- **Student Body**: 3,203 students (2020).  
- **Faculty**: 387 employees (2020).  

### Affiliations  
- Member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and Colorado Association of Libraries.  

### Athletics  
- **Team Name**: Western Colorado Mountaineers.  

### Identifiers  
- **ROR ID**: 02xs3dj23  
- **IPEDS ID**: 128391  
- **Grid ID**: grid.422637.6  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.422637.6)
2. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
3. [Source](https://www.chrtaskforce.com/resources)
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120073011/https://secure.aacu.org/iMIS/AACUR/Membership/MemberListAACU.aspx)
6. [Source](https://cal-webs.org/Institutional_Members)
7. Google Knowledge Graph
8. Freebase Data Dumps
9. [Source](https://www.western.edu)
10. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
11. GRID Release 2015-12-14
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
14. Quora
15. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
17. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
18. National Center for Education Statistics