Colorado Mesa vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than Colorado Mesa ($7,916 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 27% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($8,907 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $1,252 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Purdue University Northwest (about $9,030 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Northwest than at Colorado Mesa University (89% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($8,285 vs. $6,992).

Colorado Mesa vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 30 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Colorado Mesa vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.