Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Colorado Mesa University at a Glance
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.
1925
101 years old
$70M
$70 million (2025)
9,788
9,459 undergrad · 329 grad
597
141 acres
Identity
Is Colorado Mesa University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Colorado Mesa University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,823 — 15% below average — while paying $15,103/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Colorado Mesa University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Colorado Mesa University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CO
Ranked #120 of 164 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #120 | Colorado Mesa University | 31 | $15,103 | $45,823 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Colorado Mesa University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in CO.
Best Programs at Colorado Mesa University
The highest-earning program at Colorado Mesa University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $23,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Colorado Mesa University earns $58,600, while a History graduate earns $23,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,207 in median debt vs. $26,450 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,103/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,600 | $58,600 | $27,207 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,400 | $45,400 | $26,910 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $43,800 | $43,800 | $22,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,200 | $40,200 | $24,397 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,800 | $38,800 | $23,625 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $36,600 | $36,600 | $24,501 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,600 | $35,600 | $23,343 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,300 | $33,300 | $23,850 |
| Psychology, General | $30,800 | $30,800 | $25,028 |
| Biology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $24,942 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,800 | $26,800 | $24,895 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,450 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $22,962 |
| History | $23,200 | $23,200 | $26,450 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
- Student Body
- 8,143 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,103
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,823
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000