FLC vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Lewis College in Durango, 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 FLC based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• Fort Lewis College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Lewis College 14:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

FLC vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 FLC ($15,590 vs. $17,114).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 10.8% lower than at Fort Lewis College ($12,209 vs. $13,680).
• Fort Lewis College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $31 more per year; $9,958.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Fort Lewis College (about $3,598 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at Colorado Mesa University (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($8,285 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC 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 FLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Lewis College (1110) is 60 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming FLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 18/26; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FLC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

FLC vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC 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).

• Fort Lewis College's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($201 vs. $224).
• More FLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.