Colorado Mesa vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 8,137 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or UHCL? 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 Houston Clear Lake than Colorado Mesa ($14,059 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 3.4% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($12,209 vs. $12,642).
• Colorado Mesa University is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $2,157 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Colorado Mesa than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $4,010 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 52.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,630 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or UHCL? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UHCL and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• UHCL 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. 22.2% at UHCL.

Colorado Mesa vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and UHCL? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Colorado Mesa University's six-year graduation rate is 25%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $4,600 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($17,150 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($177 vs. $224).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.