Colorado Mesa vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University ($15,590 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 11.9% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,760 vs. $12,209).
• Western Colorado University is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,391 more per year; $11,318.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Western Colorado University (about $690 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at Colorado Mesa University (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Colorado University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($8,425 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 210 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Western Colorado University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western Colorado University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Western Colorado University? 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 Colorado University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Western Colorado University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($222 vs. $224).
• More Western Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.