Colorado Mesa vs. CSU-Pueblo

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than CSU-Pueblo based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 6,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Colorado State University Pueblo is in Pueblo, CO (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Pueblo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Colorado State University Pueblo 16:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. CSU-Pueblo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or CSU-Pueblo? 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 Colorado State University Pueblo than Colorado Mesa ($13,079 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Pueblo are 0.9% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($12,100 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU-Pueblo (about $207 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $9,720.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Colorado State University Pueblo (about $7,180 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $17,944.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Pueblo than at Colorado Mesa University (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Pueblo students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,130 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. CSU-Pueblo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or CSU-Pueblo? 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 CSU-Pueblo and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 60 points higher than at CSU-Pueblo (990).
• Incoming CSU-Pueblo students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Colorado State University Pueblo 870/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Colorado State University Pueblo 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; CSU-Pueblo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU-Pueblo Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU-Pueblo students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• CSU-Pueblo has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 22.4% at CSU-Pueblo.

Colorado Mesa vs. CSU-Pueblo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and CSU-Pueblo? 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).

• Colorado State University Pueblo's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than CSU-Pueblo graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Pueblo graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU-Pueblo graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($204 vs. $224).
• More CSU-Pueblo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.