Colorado Mesa vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Saginaw Valley 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Colorado Mesa ($11,546 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 1.1% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($12,209 vs. $12,340).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 30.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,003 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Colorado Mesa University (about $5,326 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Colorado Mesa University (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 63.1% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($13,512 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is the same as at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley 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; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Saginaw Valley 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).

• Saginaw Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($21,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.