Colorado Mesa vs. Naropa University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Naropa University based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Naropa University is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Naropa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Naropa University 10:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Naropa University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Naropa 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 Colorado Mesa University than Naropa University ($15,590 vs. $27,873).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 0.7% lower than at Naropa University ($12,209 vs. $12,290).
• Naropa University is 268.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $26,693 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Naropa University than at Colorado Mesa University (about $11,496 more per year; $36,620.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Naropa University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Naropa University students is 206.9% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($25,429 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Naropa University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• 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; Naropa University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Naropa University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Naropa University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 27.3% at Naropa University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Naropa University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Naropa 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).

• Naropa University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Naropa University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $25,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Naropa University graduates ($21,750 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Naropa University graduates ($224 vs. $274).
• More Naropa University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.