Colorado Mesa vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or MIAD? 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 Mesa University than MIAD ($15,590 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 10.3% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,955 vs. $12,209).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 340.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $33,816 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.1% higher at MIAD than at Colorado Mesa University (about $18,619 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Colorado Mesa University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 214% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($26,015 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 10 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Colorado Mesa vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($21,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.