Colorado Mesa vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

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

Murray State University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Murray State 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 Murray State University than Colorado Mesa ($10,182 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 9% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($11,112 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $27 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Murray State University (about $5,288 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Colorado Mesa University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 71.1% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($14,178 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or Murray State 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 Murray State University and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Murray State University 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; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Murray State 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).

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($222 vs. $224).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.