Colorado Mesa vs. Southern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (11,790 students vs. 9,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in Carbondale, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11:1.

Colorado Mesa vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mesa or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Colorado Mesa ($13,473 vs. $15,590).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 1.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,209 vs. $12,341).
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 34.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mesa (about $3,407 more per year; $13,334.00 vs. $9,927.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.4% higher at Colorado Mesa than at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (about $11,790 more per year; $25,124.00 vs. $13,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than at Colorado Mesa University (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students is 64.3% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($13,610 vs. $8,285).

Colorado Mesa vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mesa or Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois University and Colorado Mesa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado Mesa University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1030).
• Incoming Colorado Mesa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Southern Illinois University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 930/1160; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 900/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado Mesa University 18/24; Southern Illinois University Carbondale 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mesa - Test optional; Southern Illinois University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Colorado Mesa students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24).
• Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Colorado Mesa (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 18.6% at Southern Illinois University.

Colorado Mesa vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mesa and Southern Illinois 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).

• Southern Illinois University Carbondale's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Colorado Mesa University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates ($21,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Illinois University graduates ($224 vs. $232).
• More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.