Colorado Mesa vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Kean University 17:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Kean? 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 Kean University than Colorado Mesa ($12,708 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 33.2% lower than at Kean University ($12,209 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $4,372 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Kean University (about $2,678 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $22,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at Colorado Mesa University (90% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 81.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($15,048 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Kean Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 10 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Kean University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 18.7% at Kean.

Colorado Mesa vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Kean? 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.