Colorado Mesa vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus than Colorado Mesa ($6,347 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 1.5% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($12,026 vs. $12,209).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $213 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at UNM than at Colorado Mesa University (about $7,936 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Colorado Mesa University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 58.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($13,140 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. UNM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 20 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming UNM 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; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 31.2% at UNM.

Colorado Mesa vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and UNM? 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 New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($201 vs. $224).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

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.