Colorado Mesa vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado Mesa University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or NSU? 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 Colorado Mesa University than NSU ($15,590 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 13.2% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,600 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,082 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.3% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Northern State University (about $13,177 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Colorado Mesa University (97% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,285 vs. $6,441).

Colorado Mesa vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (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 NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Colorado Mesa vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and NSU? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $2,649 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,750 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($224 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.