CU Denver vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

CU Denver vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Colorado Mesa ($14,831 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 20.9% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,209 vs. $15,442).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $456 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at CU Denver than at Colorado Mesa University (about $4,267 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Colorado Mesa University (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($9,496 vs. $8,285).

CU Denver vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 50 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver 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 (82%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

CU Denver vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $28,200 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $560 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($219 vs. $224).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.