Colorado Mesa vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than Colorado Mesa ($5,745 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 10.1% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,972 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $1,503 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Indiana University Northwest (about $2,313 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Indiana University Northwest (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Northwest students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($8,327 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is the same as at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest 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; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

Colorado Mesa vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and IU Northwest? 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 Mesa University's six-year graduation rate (25%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $3,280 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 33%)

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.