CU Boulder vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($15,590 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 33.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($12,209 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 57.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $5,739 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.8% higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado Mesa University (about $19,794 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at University of Colorado Boulder (84% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,225 vs. $8,285).

CU Boulder vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 290 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($201 vs. $224).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.