Colorado Mesa vs. Fort Hays State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Fort Hays State University is in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Hays State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Fort Hays State University 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Fort Hays State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Fort Hays State University? 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 Fort Hays State University than Colorado Mesa ($13,186 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 25.3% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($9,120 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 67.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $4,004 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Fort Hays State University (about $7,383 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at Colorado Mesa University (92% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($8,285 vs. $6,751).

Colorado Mesa vs. Fort Hays State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or Fort Hays State University? 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 Fort Hays State University and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Hays State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Fort Hays State University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Fort Hays State University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Fort Hays State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Fort Hays State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fort Hays State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 41.8% at Fort Hays State University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Fort Hays State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Fort Hays State University? 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).

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have a $1,032 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($20,718 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, Fort Hays State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($214 vs. $224).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.