Colorado Mesa vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than Colorado Mesa ($14,584 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 27.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,209 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,197 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Colorado Mesa University (about $5,560 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (84% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($9,813 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Colorado Mesa vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,750 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($224 vs. $250).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

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.