Colorado Mesa vs. University of Northern Colorado

Colorado Mesa University and University of Northern Colorado side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colorado Mesa University
University of Northern Colorado

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado Mesa (82% admitted vs 85.9%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colorado Mesa. Average net price is $15,590 vs $19,376 at University of Northern Colorado.
  • Graduation: Colorado Mesa 25% vs University of Northern Colorado 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado Mesa $40,000 vs University of Northern Colorado $44,600 (median).
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Key differences

Colorado Mesa University University of Northern Colorado
Acceptance rate
Colorado Mesa more selective
Colorado Mesa82%
University of Northern Colorado85.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of Northern Colorado higher
Colorado Mesa930-1160
University of Northern Colorado950-1190
Average net price
Colorado Mesa $3,786 less
Colorado Mesa$15,590
University of Northern Colorado$19,376
In-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $2,489 less
Colorado Mesa$9,927
University of Northern Colorado$12,416
Out-of-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $2,142 less
Colorado Mesa$25,124
University of Northern Colorado$27,266
Graduation rate
University of Northern Colorado +21 pts
Colorado Mesa25%
University of Northern Colorado46%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Northern Colorado +$4,600
Colorado Mesa$40,000
University of Northern Colorado$44,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado Mesa
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • SAT range
  • Colorado Mesa 930-1160
  • University of Northern Colorado 950-1190
  • ACT range
  • Colorado Mesa 18-24
  • University of Northern Colorado 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado Mesa
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & board
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average net price
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado Mesa $224
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado Mesa
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado Mesa #908
  • University of Northern Colorado #680

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO with University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colorado Mesa University is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (9,785 students vs. 8,869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mesa University 18:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 24.4% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($12,209 vs. $16,154).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado Mesa University (about $2,142 more per year; $27,266 vs. $25,124).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado Mesa University (95% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($9,992 vs. $8,285).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at University of Northern Colorado than at Colorado Mesa (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colorado Mesa and University of Northern Colorado.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Northern Colorado average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Colorado Mesa vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $220 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,750 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($224 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation (62% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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