Colorado State vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado State vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State 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 Mesa University than Colorado State ($15,590 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 27.4% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($12,209 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 34.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,446 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.4% higher at Colorado State than at Colorado Mesa University (about $9,659 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (84% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($10,160 vs. $8,285).

Colorado State vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State 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 State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 140 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado State 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 State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

Colorado State vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $746 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($217 vs. $224).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.