Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between Colorado Mesa University and University of Northern Colorado? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Colorado Mesa University
University of Northern Colorado

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Colorado Mesa #908
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Colorado Mesa -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • Colorado Mesa Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Colorado Mesa
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Colorado Mesa
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • Colorado Mesa 18/24
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Colorado Mesa 930/1160
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Colorado Mesa
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

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

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Colorado Mesa 46%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • Colorado Mesa 54%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Colorado Mesa Medium
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • Colorado Mesa No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • Colorado Mesa 70%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • Colorado Mesa 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • Colorado Mesa 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Colorado Mesa 17%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Colorado Mesa 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Colorado Mesa 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Colorado Mesa 85%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Colorado Mesa 14%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado? 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 Colorado Mesa University than University of Northern Colorado ($15,590 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 24.4% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,209 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $2,489 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $9,927.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado Mesa University (about $2,142 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $25,124.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado Mesa University (95% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($9,992 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado and Colorado Mesa.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 20 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (85.9%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and University of Northern Colorado? 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 Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado 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 $220 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,750 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.