CU Boulder vs. Colorado Mesa

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

University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado Mesa University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU Boulder (78.1% admitted vs 82%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colorado Mesa. Average net price is $15,590 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
  • Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs Colorado Mesa 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs Colorado Mesa $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Colorado Boulder Colorado Mesa University
Acceptance rate
CU Boulder more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
Colorado Mesa82%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
Colorado Mesa930-1160
Average net price
Colorado Mesa $10,641 less
CU Boulder$26,231
Colorado Mesa$15,590
In-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $5,739 less
CU Boulder$15,666
Colorado Mesa$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $19,794 less
CU Boulder$44,918
Colorado Mesa$25,124
Graduation rate
CU Boulder +43 pts
CU Boulder68%
Colorado Mesa25%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU Boulder +$16,900
CU Boulder$56,900
Colorado Mesa$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU Boulder 67,286
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • Admitted
  • CU Boulder 52,539
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU Boulder 78.1%
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU Boulder 14.1%
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU Boulder 1340
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU Boulder 31
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU Boulder 3.68
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU Boulder A-
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Boulder Very High
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Boulder
  • Colorado Mesa
  • SAT range
  • CU Boulder 1240-1430
  • Colorado Mesa 930-1160
  • ACT range
  • CU Boulder 29-33
  • Colorado Mesa 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Boulder Test optional
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
  • Colorado Mesa
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU Boulder $15,666
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU Boulder $44,918
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • Room & board
  • CU Boulder $18,468
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • Average net price
  • CU Boulder $26,231
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • Average grant aid
  • CU Boulder $11,225
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU Boulder 53%
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU Boulder 68%
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU Boulder $56,900
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU Boulder 73%
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU Boulder $19,500
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • Median loan payment
  • CU Boulder $201
  • Colorado Mesa $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU Boulder 19:1
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU Boulder
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Colorado Mesa
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Location
  • CU Boulder Boulder, CO
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • Setting
  • CU Boulder Small City
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU Boulder 38,799
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • Type
  • CU Boulder Public 4 Year
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU Boulder #199
  • Colorado Mesa #908

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 9,785 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 33.9% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($12,209 vs. $18,468).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 78.8% higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado Mesa University (about $19,794 more per year; $44,918 vs. $25,124).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than at University of Colorado Boulder (84% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($11,225 vs. $8,285).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 10 points higher at CU Boulder than at Colorado Mesa (31 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and Colorado Mesa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CU Boulder average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,750).
  • Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado Mesa graduates ($201 vs. $224).
  • More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation (73% 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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