Colorado Mesa vs. MSU Billings

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

Colorado Mesa University
Montana State University Billings

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $15,590 at Colorado Mesa vs $15,018 at MSU Billings. Colorado Mesa in-state tuition is about $2,647 more per year.
  • Graduation: Colorado Mesa 25% vs MSU Billings 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado Mesa $40,000 vs MSU Billings $37,800 (median).
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Key differences

Colorado Mesa University Montana State University Billings
Acceptance rate
Colorado Mesa more selective
Colorado Mesa82%
MSU Billings-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado Mesa higher
Colorado Mesa930-1160
MSU Billings-
Average net price
About even
Colorado Mesa$15,590
MSU Billings$15,018
In-state tuition
MSU Billings $2,647 less
Colorado Mesa$9,927
MSU Billings$7,280
Out-of-state tuition
MSU Billings $2,227 less
Colorado Mesa$25,124
MSU Billings$22,897
Graduation rate
MSU Billings +8 pts
Colorado Mesa25%
MSU Billings33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colorado Mesa +$2,200
Colorado Mesa$40,000
MSU Billings$37,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • MSU Billings -
  • Admitted
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • MSU Billings -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • MSU Billings
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • MSU Billings
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • MSU Billings
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • MSU Billings
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • MSU Billings 3.05
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • MSU Billings B
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • MSU Billings Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado Mesa
  • MSU Billings
  • SAT range
  • Colorado Mesa 930-1160
  • MSU Billings
  • ACT range
  • Colorado Mesa 18-24
  • MSU Billings
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • MSU Billings Not reported
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado Mesa
  • MSU Billings
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • MSU Billings $7,280
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • MSU Billings $22,897
  • Room & board
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • MSU Billings $9,980
  • Average net price
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • MSU Billings $15,018
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • MSU Billings $7,313
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • MSU Billings 90%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • MSU Billings 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • MSU Billings $37,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • MSU Billings 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • MSU Billings $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado Mesa $224
  • MSU Billings $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • MSU Billings 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado Mesa
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • MSU Billings
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • MSU Billings Billings, MT
  • Setting
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • MSU Billings Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • MSU Billings 4,129
  • Type
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • MSU Billings Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado Mesa #908
  • MSU Billings

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 4,129 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Montana State University Billings is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
  • Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Montana State University Billings 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 18.3% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($9,980 vs. $12,209).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Montana State University Billings (about $2,227 more per year; $25,124 vs. $22,897).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at Colorado Mesa University (90% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Montana State University Billings students ($8,285 vs. $7,313).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Colorado Mesa, not reported at MSU Billings.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado Mesa average a 3.28 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at MSU Billings (3.05).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University Billings graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,750).
  • Among borrowers, MSU Billings graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($180 vs. $224).
  • More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 48%).

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

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