Fort Lewis College

As the only public liberal arts college in the Four Corners region, FLC blends critical thinking with experiential learning rooted in its high-desert surroundings. Popular majors include:

• Psychology (most enrolled)
• Business/Commerce
• Environmental Studies
• Biology

The college emphasizes small class sizes (student-faculty ratio isn't specified but described as 'intimate' by The Princeton Review) and hands-on fieldwork—think river ecology labs and archaeology digs in nearby Mesa Verde. While lacking graduate programs, FLC offers undergraduate research opportunities across disciplines, particularly in sustainability and Native American studies.

Life at FLC revolves around outdoor adventure and community bonding. With Durango's 300+ miles of singletrack trails and the Animas River running through campus, students spend weekends mountain biking, rafting, or skiing at Purgatory Resort. The Student Life Center fuels this culture with intramural sports, climbing walls, and outdoor gear rentals. Demographics show a 53.3% female undergraduate population, with many students drawn from Colorado's Front Range and Native American communities. A YouTube vlog captures the vibe: business majors squeezing in sunrise hikes before class, study sessions at local coffee shops like Durango Joe's, and spontaneous river dips.

FLC grads face mixed results: a 43% six-year graduation rate (bottom quartile nationally) but relatively low debt loads. Early-career alumni earn $31,000 median salaries—$6K below national averages for similar majors, per CollegeFactual. The 46.6% graduation rate for first-time students outpaces the 31.9% transfer rate, suggesting many students treat FLC as a stepping stone. STEM and business majors fare best; arts/humanities grads often pursue service roles in the Four Corners region.

FLC offers generous merit aid to offset its $21,370 in-state tuition (2024-25):

• Presidential Scholarship: $8,000/year (3.8+ GPA)
• Provost's Scholarship: $6,000/year (3.5-3.79 GPA)

Yet average institutional grants lag $504 below national public college averages at $3,863. The net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests most Colorado residents pay under $15K after aid. Out-of-state students face $41,370 tuition but qualify for the same merit awards—a rare perk among public colleges.

FLC is Colorado's adventure college—where class discussions happen around campfires and internships mean guiding raft trips or mapping wildfires. Its tribal land-grant status provides free tuition for Native students, creating a uniquely diverse community amid the San Juan Mountains. While academic rigor varies, the college delivers unmatched access to outdoor learning; environmental science majors test water quality in real time on the Animas River, while business students consult for local outfitters. For those who prioritize peaks over prestige, it's a perfect fit.