Colorado Mesa vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado Mesa vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or SFASU? 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 Stephen F Austin State University than Colorado Mesa ($14,959 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 7.1% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,209 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,201 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Stephen F Austin State University (about $1,698 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $23,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Stephen F Austin State University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($10,694 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SFASU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

Colorado Mesa vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.