Colorado Mesa vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA 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. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Colorado Mesa ($13,134 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 10.5% lower than at Colorado Mesa University ($10,926 vs. $12,209).
• Colorado Mesa University is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,063 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $5,472 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Colorado Mesa University (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 46% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($12,098 vs. $8,285).

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 Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• 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; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 37.4% 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).

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $219 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($21,531 vs. $21,750).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($222 vs. $224).
• More Colorado Mesa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 46%)

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.