Colorado Mesa vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced than Colorado Mesa ($13,690 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 43.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,209 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 57.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $5,696 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.3% higher at UC Merced than at Colorado Mesa University (about $24,699 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Colorado Mesa University (89% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 229.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($27,292 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is the same as at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Colorado Mesa vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and UC Merced? 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,851 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($205 vs. $224).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.