CSU vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

CSU vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Colorado Mesa? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than Colorado Mesa ($14,630 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 26% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,209 vs. $16,500).
• Colorado Mesa University is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $1,455 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Colorado Mesa than at California State University Chico (about $4,052 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at California State University Chico (84% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,509 vs. $8,285).

CSU vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Colorado Mesa? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colorado Mesa and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 20 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Colorado Mesa (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

CSU vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Colorado Mesa? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($175 vs. $224).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.