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Western State Colorado University Metropolitan State College of Denver FLC University of Northern Colorado UCCS CU Denver Adams State College Colorado State A&M Commerce ATU CU Boulder UNT| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Grand Junction, CO | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 5,094 | 8,905 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #868 | #886 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | mesastate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,020 | $8,261 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,450 | $21,983 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,809 | $11,522 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,056 | $15,085 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,316 | $9,209 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 87% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,916 | 9,810 | ||
| Admitted | 1,855 | 8,021 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.6% | 81.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 38.1% | 21.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.28 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 905/1190 | 930/1180 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 27, 2025 |
Academics |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 25% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $40,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 48% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $21,750 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $224 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 47% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 53% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 70% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 17% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
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| % In-State | 70% | 83% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 16% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Colorado Mesa | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Colorado Mesa University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,905 students vs. 5,094 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Colorado Mesa?
- Colorado Mesa University is 17.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,261.00 vs. $7,020.00)
- Out of state tuition is 76.6% higher at Colorado Mesa than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($21,983.00 vs. $12,450.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Colorado Mesa ($14,056 vs. $15,085)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 47.5% lower than costs at Colorado Mesa University ($7,809 vs. $11,522)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Colorado Mesa University (99% vs. 87%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 1.2% larger than aid received Colorado Mesa University ($9,316 vs. $9,209)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Colorado Mesa? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Colorado Mesa or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- The average SAT score at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988) is 36 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (952)
- Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Colorado Mesa (20)
- Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28)
- Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Colorado Mesa? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Colorado Mesa and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is higher than Colorado Mesa University (34% vs. 25%)
- Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,730 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,750)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado Mesa graduates. ($175 vs. $224)
- More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/