Colorado Mesa vs. WestConn

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Western Connecticut State University is in Danbury, CT (Small City setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Western Connecticut State University 11:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or WestConn? 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 WestConn ($15,590 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 22% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,209 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 35% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,474 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Western Connecticut State University (about $8,223 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Colorado Mesa University (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 55.3% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,870 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 60 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; WestConn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

Colorado Mesa vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.