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Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO·Public·7,604 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Colorado residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 7,604 students.

81%
Accept
7,604
Students
$15,331
Net Price
42%
Grad Rate
$42,300
Earnings
10 yr
$11,000
Debt

About This School

Colorado Mesa University is a public institution located in Grand Junction, Colorado with approximately 7,604 undergraduate students enrolled. Colorado Mesa University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 81%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,331 per year. The graduation rate is 42%, and the typical graduate earns $42,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

Colorado Mesa University is a public university in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. Originally established in 1925 as Grand Junction Junior College, the school was renamed to Mesa College in 1940. The college began offering bachelor's degrees in 1974, and in 1988, changed its name to Mesa State College to reflect its growing educational programs. In 2011, the school officially attained university status and adopted its current name.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $15,331 average net price and a remarkably low $11,000 median debt at graduation make this one of the more affordable public university options in the region, but a 42% graduation rate is a real concern — nearly 6 in 10 students don't finish, which is worth taking seriously. If you're drawn to western Colorado and want an accessible, low-debt path to a degree in a hands-on environment, this can work — but come in with a plan to stay on track, because the odds suggest many students don't.

Founded
1925
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Health Professions20%
Business & Marketing14%
Biological Sciences4%
Psychology3%
Computer Science3%
Visual & Performing Arts3%
Communications2%
Social Sciences1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Marilyn FergusonStephanie Grisham

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1070
Reading 75th %ile600
Math 75th %ile580

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$9,712
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,312
Avg Net Price
$15,331
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants27%
Median debt at graduation$11,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
42%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
75%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$11,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$11,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$34,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.8x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White65%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino21%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,604 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Colorado Mesa University

1100 North Avenue

Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Colorado

Browse all Colorado schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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