Colorado Mesa vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois University than Colorado Mesa ($14,243 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 13.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,209 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 33.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,321 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.6% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Northern Illinois University (about $11,876 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Colorado Mesa University (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 73.7% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($14,387 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Northern Illinois 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; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Colorado Mesa vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Northern Illinois? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $2,109 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($21,750 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($224 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.