DU vs. Colorado Mesa

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

University of Denver
Colorado Mesa University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: DU (77.8% admitted vs 82%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colorado Mesa. Average net price is $15,590 vs $45,451 at DU.
  • Graduation: DU 78% vs Colorado Mesa 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DU $63,400 vs Colorado Mesa $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Denver Colorado Mesa University
Acceptance rate
DU more selective
DU77.8%
Colorado Mesa82%
SAT range (middle 50%)
DU higher
DU1240-1410
Colorado Mesa930-1160
Average net price
Colorado Mesa $29,861 less
DU$45,451
Colorado Mesa$15,590
In-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $51,471 less
DU$61,398
Colorado Mesa$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
Colorado Mesa $36,274 less
DU$61,398
Colorado Mesa$25,124
Graduation rate
DU +53 pts
DU78%
Colorado Mesa25%
Median earnings (10 years)
DU +$23,400
DU$63,400
Colorado Mesa$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DU 18,786
  • Colorado Mesa 12,465
  • Admitted
  • DU 14,618
  • Colorado Mesa 10,225
  • Acceptance rate
  • DU 77.8%
  • Colorado Mesa 82%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DU 9.1%
  • Colorado Mesa 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DU 1330
  • Colorado Mesa 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • DU 30
  • Colorado Mesa 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • DU 3.72
  • Colorado Mesa 3.28
  • Typical high school grades
  • DU A-
  • Colorado Mesa B+
  • Admissions standards
  • DU Very High
  • Colorado Mesa Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • DU
  • Colorado Mesa
  • SAT range
  • DU 1240-1410
  • Colorado Mesa 930-1160
  • ACT range
  • DU 28-33
  • Colorado Mesa 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • DU Test optional
  • Colorado Mesa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DU Jan 15, 2027
  • Colorado Mesa
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Colorado Mesa $9,927
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Colorado Mesa $25,124
  • Room & board
  • DU $17,759
  • Colorado Mesa $12,209
  • Average net price
  • DU $45,451
  • Colorado Mesa $15,590
  • Average grant aid
  • DU $33,955
  • Colorado Mesa $8,285
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DU 99%
  • Colorado Mesa 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • DU 78%
  • Colorado Mesa 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DU $63,400
  • Colorado Mesa $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • DU 72%
  • Colorado Mesa 48%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DU $23,699
  • Colorado Mesa $21,750
  • Median loan payment
  • DU $245
  • Colorado Mesa $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DU 9:1
  • Colorado Mesa 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • DU
    • Business (42%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • 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
  • DU Denver, CO
  • Colorado Mesa Grand Junction, CO
  • Setting
  • DU Large City
  • Colorado Mesa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • DU 12,813
  • Colorado Mesa 9,785
  • Type
  • DU Private 4 Year
  • Colorado Mesa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DU #86
  • Colorado Mesa #908

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than Colorado Mesa based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 9,785 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Colorado Mesa University is in Grand Junction, CO (Small City setting).
  • University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Mesa University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Colorado Mesa University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 31.3% lower than at University of Denver ($12,209 vs. $17,759).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 144.4% higher at DU than at Colorado Mesa University (about $36,274 more per year; $61,398 vs. $25,124).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Colorado Mesa University (99% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 309.8% larger than aid received by Colorado Mesa University students ($33,955 vs. $8,285).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at DU than at Colorado Mesa (30 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DU and Colorado Mesa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at Colorado Mesa (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 23.1% at Colorado Mesa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mesa University graduates have a $1,949 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($21,750 vs. $23,699).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado Mesa graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($224 vs. $245).
  • More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation (72% 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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