Colorado Mesa vs. IU East

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Indiana University East in Richmond, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than IU East based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Indiana University East is in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Indiana University East 15:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. IU East Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or IU East? 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 Indiana University East than Colorado Mesa ($8,718 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 10.1% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,972 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $1,503 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Indiana University East (about $2,313 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at Indiana University East (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($8,285 vs. $8,096).

Colorado Mesa vs. IU East Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or IU East? 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 IU East and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is 20 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at IU East (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Indiana University East 960/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Indiana University East 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; IU East - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU East students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 29.2% at IU East.

Colorado Mesa vs. IU East Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and IU East? 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).

• Colorado Mesa University's six-year graduation rate (25%) is higher than Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($211 vs. $224).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 40%)

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.