Grand Junction, CO · Private University
Is Colorado Mesa University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,823
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,712
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,312
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$97,248
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.89x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
41.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,331
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Colorado Mesa University graduates earn $823 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Colorado Mesa University ranked by graduate earnings
240 graduates
27 graduates
37 graduates
22 graduates
188 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Colorado Mesa University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Colorado Mesa University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $69,568) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $27,490) is $42,078/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $69,568 | 2.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $67,556 | 2.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,496 | 2.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,715 | 2.5x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $55,102 | 2.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $49,827 | 2.0x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,835 | 2.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,887 | 1.9x |
| Social Work(1yr data) | $42,254 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,121 | 1.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,768 | 1.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,844 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $40,800 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $39,118 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,916 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,389 | 1.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,490 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Colorado Mesa University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,823 10 years after starting, $823 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.