Colorado Mesa vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate than Colorado Mesa ($13,999 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 13.7% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,533 vs. $12,209).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,661 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Colorado Mesa than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $2,034 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Colorado Mesa University (97% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($10,719 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 40 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Colorado Mesa vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $700 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($21,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($224 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.