Western Colorado University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $19,868 |
| Tuition & Fees | $1,184 |
| Living Expenses | $18,684 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $0 |
What This Means for You
No funding gap — you're fully covered
Western Colorado University Master costs less than the federal loan cap. You can cover the full cost of attendance with federal Direct Loans alone.
- You still need to file FAFSA each year
- Consider whether you need to borrow the full amount — interest still accrues
- Compare this program's costs with similar programs to confirm value
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
Get your personalized funding plan
Fee-by-fee cost breakdown, residency comparison, and private loan options for Western Colorado University Master — sent to your inbox.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Western Colorado University Master students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Western Colorado University Master students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Western Colorado University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Western Colorado University Master cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Western Colorado University Master is $19,868 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $39,736.
Is Western Colorado University Master classified as graduate or professional?
Western Colorado University Master is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
Related Articles
Graduate Programs Covered by Federal Loans
Some programs cost less than the $20,500 cap. See if yours is fully covered.
Read more →Is Graduate School Worth the Debt?
ROI varies enormously. Total costs range from under $20K to over $300K for graduate degrees.
Read more →Graduate Degrees Hit Hardest by the $20,500 Cap
Which degree types face the largest gaps under the new graduate loan limits.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Western Colorado University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 128391.
- Program classification: Master is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Western Colorado University Master faces an annual funding gap of $0 based on a cost of attendance of $19,868 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 2 years, the total funding gap is $0. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.