Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado

Should I go to Colorado Mesa University or University of Northern Colorado? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Colorado Mesa University vs. University of Northern Colorado comparison
Colorado Mesa University University of Northern Colorado College 3 College 4
Colorado Mesa University University of Northern Colorado
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Overview

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Location Grand Junction, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 8,995 9,067
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #856 #688
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mesastate.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $8,592 $9,296
Tuition (Out of State) $23,192 $23,490
Room & Board $11,760 $15,230
Avg Net Price $15,076 $19,115
Avg Grant Aid $7,698 $8,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 94%

Admission

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,631 10,274
Admitted 8,653 8,880
Acceptance Rate 81.4% 86.4%
Enrolled % 20.9% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 17/26
SAT Range 930/1180 970/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Graduation Rate 25% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,750 $21,970
Median Loan Payment $224 $227

Diversity

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
% Men 1% 7%
% Women 2% 20%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 56%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 17% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 15%

Students

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 85% 84%
% Out-of-State 14% 15%

Campus

 Colorado Mesa University of Northern Colorado
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (9,067 students vs. 8,995 students)

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 8.2% more expensive to attend than Colorado Mesa for in-state tuition ($9,296.00 vs. $8,592.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Colorado Mesa University ($23,490.00 vs. $23,192.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado Mesa University than University of Northern Colorado ($15,076 vs. $19,115)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 29.5% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($11,760 vs. $15,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Colorado Mesa University (94% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 14% larger than aid received Colorado Mesa University ($8,773 vs. $7,698)

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Northern Colorado or Colorado Mesa .

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 79 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (952)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Colorado Mesa (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Colorado Mesa (81.4%)

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Northern Colorado and Colorado Mesa.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Colorado Mesa University (46% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $4,600 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Colorado Mesa University students graduate with a $220 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($21,750 vs. $21,970)
  • Colorado Mesa graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than University of Northern Colorado graduates. ($224 vs. $227)
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/