Mountain West Demographics

The Mountain West is noted for its geographic diversity. Some of the most beautiful terrain and landscapes in the nation can be found within Mountain West boundaries, including the majestic Rocky Mountain range, which borders five MW institutions (Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah State). The high plains of Wyoming (elevation 7,220 feet – the highest Division I campus in the nation) contrast with the desert cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix and Reno, home to UNLV, Grand Canyon and Nevada, respectively, while Fresno State, San Diego State and San José State add a West Coast influence with their locations in Central, Southern and Northern California. The inclusion of the Hawai‘i football program extends the Mountain West footprint to the beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean, while the addition of the women’s soccer program at Colorado College gives the MW an additional presence in the Rocky Mountains. With the addition of Washington State as an affiliate member in women’s swimming and baseball, the Mountain West footprint stretches into the Pacific Northwest.

The MW

Air Force

Founded: 1954

Location: U.S. Air Force Academy, CO

Elevation: 7,163 feet

Population: 380,567

Enrollment: 4,400

Student-Athletes: 900

MW-Sponsored Sports: 16

Official Website

Boise State

Founded: 1932

Nickname: Broncos

Location: Boise, ID

Elevation: 2,842 feet

Population: 593,000

Enrollment: 23,886

Student-Athletes: 420

MW-Sponsored Sports: 17

Official Website

Colorado State

Founded: 1870

Nickname: Rams

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Elevation: 5,004 feet

Population: 156,480

Enrollment: 33,198

Student-Athletes: 369

MW-Sponsored Sports: 16

Official Website

Fresno State

Founded: 1911

Nickname: Bulldogs

Location: Fresno, CA

Elevation: 352 feet

Population: 494,665

Enrollment: 24,500

Student-Athletes: 450

MW-Sponsored Sports: 17

Official Website

Grand Canyon

Founded: 1949

Nickname: Lopes

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Elevation: 1,086 feet

Population: 1.65 million

Enrollment: 25,000 (on campus)

Student-Athletes: 400

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

Nevada

Founded: 1874

Nickname: Wolf Pack

Location: Reno, NV

Elevation: 4,505 feet

Population: 237,000

Enrollment: 21,353

Student-Athletes: 400

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

New Mexico

Founded: 1889

Nickname: Lobos

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Elevation: 5,312 feet

Population: 556,495

Enrollment: 25,015

Student-Athletes: 440

MW-Sponsored Sports: 18

Official Website

San Diego State

Founded: 1897

Nickname: Aztecs

Location: San Diego, CA

Elevation: 46 feet

Population: 1,406,630

Enrollment: 33,778

Student-Athletes: 560

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

San José State

Founded: 1857

Nickname: Spartans

Location: San Jose, CA

Elevation: Sea level to 2,125 feet

Population: 1,000,536

Enrollment: 32,471

Student-Athletes: 470

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

UNLV

Founded: 1957

Nickname: Rebels

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Elevation: 2,030 feet

Population: 518,313

Enrollment: 29,700

Student-Athletes: 480

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

Utah State

Founded: 1888

Nickname: Aggies

Location: Logan, UT

Elevation: 4,778 feet

Population: 48,565

Enrollment: 28,118

Student-Athletes: 400

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website

Wyoming

Founded: 1886

Nickname: Cowboys, Cowgirls

Location: Laramie, WY

Elevation: 7,220 feet

Population: 30,816

Enrollment: 13,551

Student-Athletes: 375

MW-Sponsored Sports: 15

Official Website