Colorado Mesa vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or NKU? 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 Northern Kentucky University than Colorado Mesa ($9,211 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 4% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,209 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $1,161 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Northern Kentucky University (about $3,212 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Colorado Mesa University (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($10,332 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. NKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is the same as at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NKU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Colorado Mesa has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Colorado Mesa vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and NKU? 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).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $3,200 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($21,750 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($224 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.