UCCS vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (11,354 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 15:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

UCCS vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 UCCS ($15,590 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 5.5% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,209 vs. $12,918).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $222 more per year; $10,149.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Colorado Mesa than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $788 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (84% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($8,285 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 70 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UCCS students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

UCCS vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 Colorado Springs's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $751 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($20,999 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($217 vs. $224).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.