University of Central Arkansas vs. Colorado Mesa

Deciding between University of Central Arkansas and Colorado Mesa University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Central Arkansas
Colorado Mesa University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • Setting
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • Type
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • Colorado Mesa #908
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Central Arkansas -
  • Colorado Mesa -
  • Status
  • University of Central Arkansas Non-profit
  • Colorado Mesa Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Colorado Mesa

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • Room & Board
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • Colorado Mesa 84%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • Admitted
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Colorado Mesa
  • ACT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 19/25
  • Colorado Mesa 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 910/1170
  • Colorado Mesa 930/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Colorado Mesa

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Colorado Mesa
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • Colorado Mesa $224

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Central Arkansas 36%
  • Colorado Mesa 46%
  • % Women
  • University of Central Arkansas 64%
  • Colorado Mesa 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Central Arkansas Medium
  • Colorado Mesa Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Colorado Mesa No
  • % White
  • University of Central Arkansas 66%
  • Colorado Mesa 70%
  • % Asian
  • University of Central Arkansas 2%
  • Colorado Mesa 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Central Arkansas 18%
  • Colorado Mesa 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Central Arkansas 5%
  • Colorado Mesa 17%
  • % Native American
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Central Arkansas 0%
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Colorado Mesa 4%
  • % International
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Colorado Mesa 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Colorado Mesa 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 91%
  • Colorado Mesa 85%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 7%
  • Colorado Mesa 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Central Arkansas Yes
  • Colorado Mesa Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Colorado Mesa No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Central Arkansas Yes
  • Colorado Mesa Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Colorado Mesa Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Colorado Mesa Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of Central Arkansas Details
  • Colorado Mesa Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
  • University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas 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 University of Central Arkansas ($15,590 vs. $16,546).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 25.4% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($9,110 vs. $12,209).
  • University of Central Arkansas is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $596 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $9,927.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.4% higher at Colorado Mesa than at University of Central Arkansas (about $7,101 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $18,023.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Colorado Mesa University (95% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($8,901 vs. $8,285).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas 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 University of Central Arkansas.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 10 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas 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: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas 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).

  • University of Central Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas 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, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $335 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,750).
  • Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($221 vs. $224).
  • More University of Central Arkansas 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.