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Fort Lewis College vs Colorado Mesa University

Fort Lewis College is a public college in Durango, CO. Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, CO. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants and Colorado Mesa University about 82%, making Fort Lewis College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,103 a year at Colorado Mesa University after aid, and about $17,296 at Fort Lewis College. About 41% of students graduate at Colorado Mesa University, compared with 39% at Fort Lewis College. Ten years after enrolling, Fort Lewis College alumni earn a median of about $46,349, against $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University.

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Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO · Public

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Durango, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
3,079
8,143
Acceptance rate
77%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1210
930–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
18–26
18–24
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,296
$15,103
Full cost / yr
$27,030
$24,046
In-state tuition
$9,958
$9,927
Out-of-state tuition
$21,526
$25,124
Application fee
$40
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$18,622
$10,792
$30k - $48k
$17,014
$11,920
$48k - $75k
$19,468
$14,692
$75k - $110k
$19,498
$16,945
Over $110k
$13,158
$20,606
Outcomes
Graduation rate
39%
41%
Freshman retention
66%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,352
$39,223
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,349
$45,823
Median debt at graduation
$18,389
$22,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
28%
First-generation students
31%
39%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
May 1
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 Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University harder to get into?
Fort Lewis College is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 82% at Colorado Mesa University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,103 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,296 at Fort Lewis College. 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 Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa University?
Before aid, Colorado Mesa University costs about $24,046 a year and Fort Lewis College about $27,030. 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, Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,792 there, against about $18,622 at Fort Lewis College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University?
Colorado Mesa University is the larger of the two, with about 8,143 undergraduates against 3,079 at Fort Lewis College.
Does Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University have a better graduation rate?
Colorado Mesa University has the higher graduation rate, at about 41% against 39% at Fort Lewis College.
Do graduates of Fort Lewis College or Colorado Mesa University earn more?
Fort Lewis College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $46,349 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,823 for Colorado Mesa University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa University require SAT or ACT scores?
Fort Lewis College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Colorado Mesa University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1210 at Fort Lewis College 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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