Colorado Mesa University was founded in 1925 as a public university offering higher education. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, associate and certificate programs in liberal arts, professional, and technical programs. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The programs at CMU are offered as full time, evening classes, online and distance education. The University has 2 campuses apart from its main campus known as the Colorado Mesa University. 

Highlights

Type Public
Campus Setting Urban
Endowment 19.2 million USD
Cost of Attendance 37,107 USD
The student to faculty ratio 21 to 1
Campus Housing Capacity 23%
Academic Intake Semesters Fall; Spring
Admission Helpdesk admissions@coloradomesa.edu, 970 248-1875
Student Retention Rate 72.00%

Programs

  • Students at the Colorado Mesa University are offered the choice of 104 major programs, 70+ concentrations, and 46 minors.
  • Programs can be studies in full-time, evening classes, online or through distance education mode. Courses include 9 diverse languages that students can opt to study.
  • Admission at CMU is divided such that there are fewer than 40 students in 88% of the classes.
  • A team of 288 full-time faculty members and 260 part-time faculty members handle classes of 13 departments.
  • Academic divisions from which students can choose to pursue a program are art and design, biological sciences, business, mathematics and statistics, computer science and engineering, health sciences, kinesiology, languages, literature and mass communication, music, physical and environmental sciences, social and behavioral sciences, teacher education, theatre arts and programs at the Western Colorado Community College.

Rankings

U.S. News Ranking 2023

  • #87-#113 in Regional Universities West
  • #108 in Top Performers on Social Mobility

Times Higher Education

  • US Rankings 2023: >600

Campus

  • The main campus of the Colorado Mesa University is located in the heart of Grand Junction in Colorado and spread across 90 acres.
  • Apart from its main campus, the university has 2 other campuses namely Tilman M. Bishop Campus and Montrose campus that are results of partnerships and associations.
  • The main campus is equipped with athletic facilities such as athletic offices, field house, practice fields, and EI Pomar Natatorium.
  • Student services have several departments that cater to the needs of the students. Student Life, University Center, Residence Life, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid department, Campus Safety, Campus Recreation, Student Health and Counseling services are some of these departments.

Residence

  • Students are presented with various on-campus housing options like traditional halls, suites, and semi-suites. Residence allotment is made on the basis of the level of study.
  • Common facilities in each housing option are free Wi-Fi, laundry facility, computer labs, cable TV and mattresses on each bed.
  • Traditional halls are the most common option among first-year students. Bunting Hall (semi-suite), Garfield Hall (traditional), Grand Mesa Hall (Suite), Monument Hall (Semi-suite), Pinon Hall (Traditional), Mary Rait and Jay Tolman Halls (Traditional), Wingate Hall (Traditional) and Lucero Suites.
  • Apartment-style housing is occupied mostly by second-year students and above. These include Lucero Hall Apartments, Orchard Avenue Apartments, Walnut Ridge Apartments, and Aspen Apartments.

Application Process

  • Application Portal: UG Applicants – Online application; PG Applicants – Graduate admission application
  • Application Fee: UG applicants - 30 USD
  • Student Class profile:
    • Total enrollment – 11000
    • International students – 15%
  • Standardized test scores of SAT/ ACT are required for merit-based evaluation during admission decisions. ACT score – 18 (English); 17 (Reading/ Social Science); 19 (Math) SAT score – 470 (Evidence-based reading and writing); 500 (Math).
  • High school GPA – Minimum 3.0 on 4.0
  • English proficiency test scores - Applicants whose native language is not English must include official scores of English proficiency test with required minimum as:
Exam Undergraduate Score Requirement Graduate Score Requirement
TOEFL IBT 70 80
TOEFL PBT 525 550
IELTS 6.0 -
  • Supporting Documents to be submitted with the admission application for evaluation include UG applicants – official high school transcripts, official bank statements, notarized statement of financial support, copy of passport and proof of English language proficiency; PG applicants – official college/ university transcripts, bank statements showing proof of funds at least 32,978 USD covering a first academic year, Statement of Financial Support that must be notarized by public officer or notary who can verify the signature, proof of English language proficiency and copy of passport.

Cost of Attendance

Among other Colorado colleges offering 4-year programs, the Colorado Mesa University has the 3rd lowest tuition and fees.

Expense Estimated Cost 2023-24 for Undergraduate students
Tuition and Fees 23,163 USD
Residence Hall 9138- 15,318 USD
Books and Supplies 1125-1625 USD
Estimated Total Cost 33,426-40,106 USD
Expense Estimated Cost 2023-24 for Graduate students
Tuition and Fees 14,078 USD
Residence Hall 13,000 USD
Books and Supplies 1650 USD
Personal Expenses 4500 USD
Estimated Total Cost 33,228 USD

Financial Aid for International Students

  • Students can find job opportunities on campus where they are allowed to work for 20 hours per week at an hourly rate of 15 USD. It is a great source of income for students and also helps students in gaining work skills that would help them in finding employment in the future.
  • Each student has the opportunity to avail of financial aid by the means of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment opportunities.
  • Federal and institutional grants are however offered to domestic students.
  • More than 50% of the first time applicants of the University receive scholarships.
  • For the year 2018-19, almost 78 million USD was spent on financial aid.
  • The following table represents information of some merit-based scholarships that are commonly awarded to all incoming freshmen by the University:
Scholarship Name Amount Awarded Eligibility Criteria
Distinguished Scholars 6000 USD Students must have at least 24 credit hours from another institution.
ACT score – 18 (English); 17 (Reading/ Social Science); 19 (Math)
SAT score – 470 (Evidence-based reading and writing); 500 (Math)
Presidential Scholarship 3500 USD
Academic Achievement Award 1250 USD

Alumni

  • Members of the alumni association are entitled to benefits both on campus as well as outside. On-campus benefits include easy access to diplomas, transcripts, and memberships, alumni card providing various discounts, 10% off on purchases from the Maverick store, access to the Advising and Career Center, tickets to events of the university, membership to the Hamilton Recreation Center, access to select resources at Tomlinson Library, Outdoor programs and off-campus alumni members get CMU license plates.
  • Distinguished alumni members of the University are awarded every year. Recipients from previous years include Kathy Howa, Kalani Pe’a Doug Simons, Lori Raya, Robert “Bob” Strong, and many others.

Placements

  • CMU’s Job Link, Handshake and Connecting Colorado are various platforms for students to explore various job opportunities and connect with employers.
  • In a survey of the graduates from five previous years, it was noted that 69% of the participants were employed while 29% enrolled for further education.
  • The University takes care of providing employment tools with services like on-campus recruitment where students and alumni members become part of meetings with the employer.
  • The University also hosts career fairs thrice a year to enable better networking among students and employers.