Colorado Mesa vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or UWT? 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 Washington Tacoma Campus than Colorado Mesa ($13,898 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 25.4% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($12,209 vs. $16,371).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 32.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,241 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.8% higher at UWT than at Colorado Mesa University (about $18,280 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Washington Tacoma Campus than at Colorado Mesa University (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 46.8% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,161 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. UWT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 20 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• UWT has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Colorado Mesa vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and UWT? 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).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($155 vs. $224).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.