DU vs. Colorado Mesa

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver 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 Denver is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

DU vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 DU ($15,590 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 31.3% lower than at University of Denver ($12,209 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 518.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $51,471 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.4% higher at DU than at Colorado Mesa University (about $36,274 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $25,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Colorado Mesa University (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 309.8% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($33,955 vs. $8,285).

DU vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 280 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming DU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Colorado Mesa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Colorado Mesa University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Colorado Mesa University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; Colorado Mesa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

DU vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $1,949 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($21,750 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($224 vs. $245).
• More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.