Colorado Mountain College vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Colorado Mountain College based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 5,494 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, CO (Rural Fringe setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• Colorado Mountain College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mountain College 10:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

Colorado Mountain College vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mountain College or Colorado Mesa? 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 Mountain College than Colorado Mesa ($7,631 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 3.7% lower than at Colorado Mountain College ($12,209 vs. $12,680).
• Colorado Mesa University is 94.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mountain College (about $4,815 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $5,112.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Colorado Mountain College (about $12,284 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $12,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Colorado Mountain College (84% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mountain College students ($8,285 vs. $6,997).

Colorado Mountain College vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

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

• Colorado Mountain College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mountain College - Open admission; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.

Colorado Mountain College vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Mesa? 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 Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Colorado Mountain College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mountain College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($8,750 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mountain College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($90 vs. $224).
• More Colorado Mountain College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.