Colorado Mesa vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 3,339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University than Colorado Mesa ($11,744 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 5.5% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,209 vs. $12,916).
• Colorado Mesa University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $871 more per year; $9,927.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Shepherd University (about $6,042 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Colorado Mesa University (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($8,285 vs. $8,241).

Colorado Mesa vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Shepherd University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Shepherd University? 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).

• Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $473 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($21,750 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($224 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University 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.