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Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa

Grand Junction, Colorado 81501-3122

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Colorado Mesa University is a public institution in Grand Junction with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1070, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 7.6K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

42% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,823 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,331.

Established
1925
Motto
"Empowering the Mind Through Heart"
Type
Public university
Conference
NCAA Division II athletics
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

70 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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81%Acceptance
1070SAT Avg
7,604Students
18:1Student:Faculty
42%Grad Rate
$45,823Earnings 10yr
$15,331Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate81.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1070

Reading & WritingMid: 545
470600
MathMid: 529
460580

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1926

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,712
Tuition (out-of-state)$24,312
Room & Board$11,760
Books & Supplies$1,800
Total Cost of Attendance$22,883
Average Net Price$15,331
Median Debt at Graduation$22,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$233

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,547
$30–48K$11,755
$48–75K$15,061
$75–110K$18,182
$110K+$20,288

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

67.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

57

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

15

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

5

Motor Vehicle Theft

6

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

15

Drug Arrests

11

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (129)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
7,604
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
39%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 65%
Black 2%
Hispanic 21%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate41.5%
Freshman Retention75.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,223
10 Years$45,823

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Mavericks

FootballBaseballBasketballVolleyballCross countryIndoorGolfSoccerCyclingLacrosseSoftballSwimmingTennisWrestling

History & Fun Facts

  • To meet the growing demand for education, in 1925, Colorado Governor Clarence Morley signed Senate Bill 262 into law, which established Grand Junction Junior College.
  • Mesa College (1937–1988) After a brief stint being known as Mesa County Junior College, the school was renamed to Mesa College in 1940.
  • The school's selection of community college programs continued to increase as well, with enrollment surpassing 1,000 students in 1961, and a vocational school being added in 1967.
  • In 1972, Governor John Arthur Love signed Senate Bill 16 authorizing Mesa College to begin offering bachelor's degrees, effective fall 1974.
  • Due to this expansion of programs, by 1979, enrollment had increased to 3,891 students, nearly tripling since 1963.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

113High

Estimated from CO state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Denverpop. 710K
196 mi(340 min)
Salt Lake Citypop. 200K
212 mi(367 min)
Phoenixpop. 1.6M
436 mi(756 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DEN Denver214 mi
SLC Salt Lake City217 mi
ABQ Albuquerque299 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1960 mi · ~56h 37m drive
New York, NY1823 mi · ~52h 40m drive
Hartford, CT1883 mi · ~54h 24m drive
Providence, RI1947 mi · ~56h 15m drive
Albany, NY1822 mi · ~52h 38m drive
Syracuse, NY1699 mi · ~49h 5m drive
Rochester, NY1626 mi · ~46h 58m drive
Buffalo, NY1562 mi · ~45h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA1770 mi · ~51h 8m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1513 mi · ~43h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA1677 mi · ~48h 27m drive
Newark, NJ1814 mi · ~52h 24m drive
Washington, DC1684 mi · ~48h 39m drive
Baltimore, MD1702 mi · ~49h 10m drive
Atlanta, GA1389 mi · ~40h 8m drive
Charlotte, NC1543 mi · ~44h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC1650 mi · ~47h 40m drive
Miami, FL1881 mi · ~54h 20m drive
Orlando, FL1713 mi · ~49h 29m drive
Tampa, FL1680 mi · ~48h 32m drive
Nashville, TN1205 mi · ~34h 49m drive
New Orleans, LA1223 mi · ~35h 20m drive
Richmond, VA1682 mi · ~48h 35m drive
Chicago, IL1114 mi · ~32h 11m drive
Detroit, MI1350 mi · ~39h drive
Minneapolis, MN882 mi · ~25h 29m drive
St. Louis, MO986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Kansas City, MO749 mi · ~21h 38m drive
Indianapolis, IN1193 mi · ~34h 28m drive
Columbus, OH1359 mi · ~39h 16m drive
Cleveland, OH1420 mi · ~41h 1m drive
Milwaukee, WI1107 mi · ~31h 59m drive
Dallas, TX788 mi · ~22h 46m drive
Houston, TX988 mi · ~28h 33m drive
Austin, TX864 mi · ~24h 58m drive
San Antonio, TX879 mi · ~25h 24m drive
Los Angeles, CA640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
San Francisco, CA755 mi · ~21h 49m drive
San Diego, CA652 mi · ~18h 50m drive
Seattle, WA907 mi · ~26h 12m drive
Portland, OR846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Denver, CO196 mi · ~5h 40m drive
Phoenix, AZ436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Salt Lake City, UT212 mi · ~6h 7m drive
Honolulu, HI3145 mi · ~90h 51m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Colorado Mesa University Application Checklist

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