CSU vs. Colorado Mesa

California State University Chico and Colorado Mesa University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
Colorado Mesa University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado Mesa (82% admitted vs 92.7%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $14,630 vs $15,590 at Colorado Mesa.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Colorado Mesa 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Colorado Mesa $40,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California State University Chico Colorado Mesa University
Acceptance rate
Colorado Mesa more selective
CSU92.7%
Colorado Mesa82%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Colorado Mesa930-1160
Average net price
CSU $960 less
CSU$14,630
Colorado Mesa$15,590
In-state tuition
CSU $1,455 less
CSU$8,472
Colorado Mesa$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $4,052 less
CSU$21,072
Colorado Mesa$25,124
Graduation rate
CSU +34 pts
CSU59%
Colorado Mesa25%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$12,400
CSU$52,400
Colorado Mesa$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at CSU and Colorado Mesa with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at CSU Check my chances at Colorado Mesa
  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Colorado Mesa
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Colorado Mesa 930-1160
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Colorado Mesa 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Colorado Mesa
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Colorado Mesa $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Colorado Mesa
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Colorado Mesa #908

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 9,785 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 26% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,209 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Colorado Mesa than at California State University Chico (about $4,052 more per year; $25,124 vs. $21,072).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at California State University Chico (84% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,509 vs. $8,285).

Admissions details

  • Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at Colorado Mesa (21).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CSU, test optional at Colorado Mesa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,750).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($175 vs. $224).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California State University Chico
Colorado Mesa University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges