Colorado Mesa University

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Grand Junction, CO
  • 0 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

Overview

Total enrollment

9,785
Colorado Mesa University overview
Colorado Mesa University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, along the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary higher education institution for western Colorado. The 86-acre campus combines modern academic facilities with traditional red-brick architecture, situated in a high-desert environment approximately 250 miles west of Denver. Originally established in 1925 as a junior college, CMU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering technical certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The university maintains a strong focus on professional and technical programs, including notable offerings in healthcare, engineering, business, and outdoor recreation industry studies. Campus housing accommodates both first-year and returning students across multiple residence halls and apartment complexes, while the institution competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Mavericks.

Ratings

Colorado Mesa is rated within the lower 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    4 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Colorado Mesa University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 930/1160
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/24
  • GPA 3.28

Acceptance Rate

82%
Colorado Mesa University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 23.1%
  • Application Fee $40

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Colorado Resident Tuition

$9,927

Out of State Resident Tuition

$25,124

Breakdown

In State Costs for Colorado Mesa University
  • Tuition $9,927
  • Books and Supplies $1,800
  • Other Fees $1,120
  • Room and Board $12,209
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,294
  • Total One Year Cost $28,350

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$40,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

25% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Colorado Mesa University are Health Professions, Business, and Liberal Arts and Humanities. 26% of students major in Health Professions, 17% in Business, and 9% in Liberal Arts and Humanities.

  • Health Professions 26%
  • Business 17%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 9%
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 7%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Colorado Mesa University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=127556.

GPA calculator: Colorado Mesa University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026