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Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Colorado Mesa University

Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public university in Fort Collins, CO, and Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, CO. Colorado Mesa University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 82% of applicants against 89% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Colorado Mesa University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,103 a year against $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. About 67% of students graduate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, compared with 41% at Colorado Mesa University. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado State University-Fort Collins alumni earn a median of about $60,543, against $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University.

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Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
25,538
8,143
Acceptance rate
89%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1080–1290
930–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
23–29
18–24
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,279
$15,103
Full cost / yr
$31,642
$24,046
In-state tuition
$13,373
$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
$34,783
$25,124
Application fee
$50
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,259
$10,792
$30k - $48k
$14,460
$11,920
$48k - $75k
$15,905
$14,692
$75k - $110k
$21,927
$16,945
Over $110k
$29,763
$20,606
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
41%
Freshman retention
86%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$49,748
$39,223
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,543
$45,823
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
$22,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
28%
First-generation students
24%
39%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Aug 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University harder to get into?
Colorado Mesa University is harder to get into. It admits about 82% of applicants, compared with 89% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,103 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Colorado Mesa University?
Before aid, Colorado Mesa University costs about $24,046 a year and Colorado State University-Fort Collins about $31,642. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,792 there, against about $13,259 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is the larger of the two, with about 25,538 undergraduates against 8,143 at Colorado Mesa University.
Does Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University have a better graduation rate?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 41% at Colorado Mesa University.
Do graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Colorado Mesa University earn more?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins alumni earn more on average: a median of about $60,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Colorado Mesa University require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Colorado Mesa University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Colorado Mesa University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1080–1290 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 930–1160 at Colorado Mesa University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school