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Grand Junction , CO
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Founded in 1925, CMU has evolved over the years to become a leading educational institution known for its robust academic programs and vibrant campus life. With over 11,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, CMU offers a wide range of degrees and majors across various disciplines, including business, health sciences, arts, sciences, and education.
One of the strengths of Colorado Mesa University lies in its commitment to providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities. CMU emphasizes practical knowledge and real-world experiences, integrating classroom education with internships, co-ops, research projects, and community engagement. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, and equipment to enhance their learning experience and develop crucial skills for their desired careers.
CMU also boasts a thriving campus community that prioritizes student success and well-being. With over 100 clubs and organizations, students have ample opportunities to engage with peers who share similar interests and passions. The university's outdoor-oriented location in Grand Junction, nestled between mountains, rivers, and the vibrant downtown area, offers a unique backdrop for outdoor activities, exploration, and recreational opportunities. Additionally, CMU's athletic teams, known as the Mavericks, compete in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, enhancing school spirit and fostering a strong sense of unity among the student body. Overall, Colorado Mesa University provides a dynamic and inclusive environment that prepares students for their future careers and personal growth.
Colorado Mesa University is a public university located in Grand Junction, CO. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at Colorado Mesa University is 78.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 47%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Colorado Mesa University.
Quick Facts
9,473
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
47%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential facts you should know about admission at Colorado Mesa University.
In 2025, the school accepted 10,202 new students.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.34. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Colorado Mesa University was 78.7% in 2025, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 47%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 9,785 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 13.4. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 9,473, 122 of which were international students. 445 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,306 male and 3,943 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 121 Asian students and 119 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,701 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 321 as multirace. The school also had 29 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 49 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 554 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Colorado Mesa University estimated tuition costs.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $9,630 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $26,220. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $26,220, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $984.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,220 | $984 | $27,204 |
| In-State | $9,630 | $984 | $10,614 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $2,400 for books and supplies during their time at Colorado Mesa University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Colorado Mesa University was $13,866 in 2025. If you only wanted a room on the campus, you had to pay $7,788 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,164.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,630 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,866 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 2,400 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,896 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Colorado Mesa University.
According to the most recent data, 1,018 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $13,571.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 3,433 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Colorado Mesa University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,690. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $14,523,279, and state $10,913,675. The students of Colorado Mesa University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $9,473,433, and external in the amount of $2,478,599.
$5,031
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 482 students overall (including freshmen) at Colorado Mesa University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 182 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $14,523,279 while the state aid is $648,852. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $7,359,121. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,072,949 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Colorado Mesa University was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 624 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 300 male and 324 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Colorado Mesa University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Colorado Mesa University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about campus life at Colorado Mesa University.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the Colorado Mesa University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students interested in media and communication, Colorado Mesa University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Colorado Mesa University offers a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Colorado Mesa University.
All in all, campus life at Colorado Mesa University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Colorado Mesa University.
Career Counselling
At Colorado Mesa University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, CO.
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Colorado Mesa University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Colorado Mesa University is 98%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Colorado Mesa University is 78.7%.
Contact Information
Colorado Mesa University
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction , CO
81501-3122
970 248-1020
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
