Colorado Mesa vs. University of Southern Maine

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than University of Southern Maine based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 7,604 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or University of Southern Maine? 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 Southern Maine than Colorado Mesa ($14,028 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 0.6% lower than at University of Southern Maine ($12,209 vs. $12,280).
• University of Southern Maine is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,357 more per year; $11,284.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at University of Southern Maine than at Colorado Mesa University (about $2,820 more per year; $27,944.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at Colorado Mesa University (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 35% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,188 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern Maine (1120) is 70 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming University of Southern Maine students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; University of Southern Maine - Required.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Maine students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

Colorado Mesa vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and University of Southern Maine? 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 Southern Maine's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Southern Maine earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,000), 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 Southern Maine 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 Southern Maine graduates ($224 vs. $232).
• More University of Southern Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.