Colorado Mesa vs. Lander University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Lander University based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 4,378 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Lander University is in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Lander University 18:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Lander University? 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 Lander University than Colorado Mesa ($15,520 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lander University are 0.9% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($12,100 vs. $12,209).
• Lander University is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,773 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Lander University (about $3,824 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at Colorado Mesa University (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,232 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Lander University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lander University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Lander University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Lander University 950/1178.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Lander University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Lander University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Lander University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 22.7% at Lander University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Lander University? 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).

• Lander University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Lander University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($21,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 46%)

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.