Colorado Mesa vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or CSUMB? 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 Monterey Bay than Colorado Mesa ($14,493 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 29.2% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,209 vs. $17,234).
• Colorado Mesa University is 27.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $2,148 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Colorado Mesa than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $4,745 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at California State University Monterey Bay (84% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,185 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Colorado Mesa vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and CSUMB? 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 Monterey Bay's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($144 vs. $224).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.