Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501-3122
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Known for health sciences — excellent value
Colorado Mesa University is a public institution in Grand Junction with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1070, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 7.6K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
42% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,823 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,331.
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Mavericks
History & Fun Facts
- •To meet the growing demand for education, in 1925, Colorado Governor Clarence Morley signed Senate Bill 262 into law, which established Grand Junction Junior College.
- •Mesa College (1937–1988) After a brief stint being known as Mesa County Junior College, the school was renamed to Mesa College in 1940.
- •The school's selection of community college programs continued to increase as well, with enrollment surpassing 1,000 students in 1961, and a vocational school being added in 1967.
- •In 1972, Governor John Arthur Love signed Senate Bill 16 authorizing Mesa College to begin offering bachelor's degrees, effective fall 1974.
- •Due to this expansion of programs, by 1979, enrollment had increased to 3,891 students, nearly tripling since 1963.
Source: Wikipedia
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1070
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Typical Application Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
67.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.6%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$11,000
Programs (129)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
75%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
57
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from CO state average + city premium