Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO 8,143 Undergrads 42.5% Grad Rate

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Total Cost

$24,046

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$15,103

After Aid

Median Earnings

$58,601

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$15,103

Peer Midpoint: $20,080.5

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$58,601

Peer Midpoint: $60,428

Graduation Rate42.5%

Peer Midpoint: 58.9%

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients31.5%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time85.0%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS67.1%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

82.0%

SAT Avg

1,055

SAT Reading

25th: 48054575th: 590

SAT Math

25th: 45052975th: 570

ACT Composite

25th: 182375th: 24

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$524k

+$58k

+$40k

Median Cost$15k/yr

+$470k

+$3k

-$14k

Full Cost$24k/yr

+$438k

-$29k

-$46k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$15k/yr

Never

-26%

Full Cost$24k/yr

Never

-54%

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return2%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-49%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Certificates

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

CertCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $34,272

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

CertCIP: 5109

Median Debt

$12,673

Earnings (4yr)

$56,747

Natl Median: $57,584

Lifetime Value Added

+$149k

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1002

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $33,223

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Administration, Management and Operations

CertCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $47,440

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

CertCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,681

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

CertCIP: 1109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,162

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Criminal Justice and Corrections

CertCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$80,359

Natl Median: $57,702

Lifetime Value Added

+$383k

Culinary Arts and Related Services

CertCIP: 1205

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $30,572

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers

CertCIP: 4603

Median Debt

$5,500

Earnings (4yr)

$70,482

Natl Median: $53,078

Lifetime Value Added

+$286k

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1505

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,268

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graphic Communications

CertCIP: 1003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,130

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Homeland Security

CertCIP: 4303

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,995

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

CertCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $31,135

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Management Information Systems and Services

CertCIP: 5212

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,682

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

CertCIP: 5115

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $43,365

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

CertCIP: 5139

Median Debt

$19,250

Earnings (4yr)

$73,377

Natl Median: $56,073

Lifetime Value Added

+$315k

Precision Metal Working

CertCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,702

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

CertCIP: 3105

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,647

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sustainability Studies

CertCIP: 3033

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $59,056

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 4706

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $51,586

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Associate's Degrees

Agricultural Business and Management

AssocCIP: 0101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $47,825

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

AssocCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$43,078

Natl Median: $42,269

Lifetime Value Added

-$48k

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

AssocCIP: 5109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$67,041

Natl Median: $65,389

Lifetime Value Added

+$182k

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

AssocCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,587

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

AssocCIP: 5110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $57,472

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

AssocCIP: 1109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,971

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Construction Trades, General

AssocCIP: 4600

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $83,283

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Criminal Justice and Corrections

AssocCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$77,311

Natl Median: $45,870

Lifetime Value Added

+$260k

Culinary Arts and Related Services

AssocCIP: 1205

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$42,801

Natl Median: $39,605

Lifetime Value Added

-$51k

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers

AssocCIP: 4603

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$78,611

Natl Median: $70,808

Lifetime Value Added

+$272k

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1505

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,148

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fire Protection

AssocCIP: 4302

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $73,589

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Food Science and Technology

AssocCIP: 0110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,271

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graphic Communications

AssocCIP: 1003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $36,221

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Hospitality Administration/Management

AssocCIP: 5209

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,099

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

AssocCIP: 2401

Median Debt

$20,170

Earnings (4yr)

$43,775

Natl Median: $44,125

Lifetime Value Added

-$41k

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1508

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $64,773

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Precision Metal Working

AssocCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$56,832

Natl Median: $56,451

Lifetime Value Added

+$87k

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

AssocCIP: 5138

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$77,223

Natl Median: $79,637

Lifetime Value Added

+$260k

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 4706

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$31,704

Natl Median: $58,424

Lifetime Value Added

-$151k

Bachelor's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services

BachCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$71,577

Natl Median: $76,194

Lifetime Value Added

+$87k

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

BachCIP: 5109

Median Debt

$21,300

Earnings (4yr)

$74,932

Natl Median: $70,786

Lifetime Value Added

+$113k

Biology, General

BachCIP: 2601

Median Debt

$24,500

Earnings (4yr)

$45,737

Natl Median: $57,214

Lifetime Value Added

-$121k

Business Administration, Management and Operations

BachCIP: 5202

Median Debt

$20,000

Earnings (4yr)

$69,297

Natl Median: $68,257

Lifetime Value Added

+$70k

Business/Commerce, General

BachCIP: 5201

Median Debt

$21,302

Earnings (4yr)

$57,897

Natl Median: $68,407

Lifetime Value Added

-$20k

Chemistry

BachCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,120

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Communication and Media Studies

BachCIP: 0901

Median Debt

$21,061

Earnings (4yr)

$54,717

Natl Median: $56,359

Lifetime Value Added

-$46k

Computer and Information Sciences, General

BachCIP: 1101

Median Debt

$22,080

Earnings (4yr)

$96,708

Natl Median: $92,374

Lifetime Value Added

+$279k

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician

BachCIP: 1510

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$91,838

Natl Median: $93,843

Lifetime Value Added

+$228k

Criminal Justice and Corrections

BachCIP: 4301

Median Debt

$24,000

Earnings (4yr)

$58,708

Natl Median: $55,378

Lifetime Value Added

-$13k

Dance

BachCIP: 5003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,980

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Design and Applied Arts

BachCIP: 5004

Median Debt

$23,500

Earnings (5yr)

$34,036

Natl Median: $51,490

Lifetime Value Added

-$228k

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

BachCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$32,745

Natl Median: $39,775

Lifetime Value Added

-$239k

English Language and Literature, General

BachCIP: 2301

Median Debt

$19,846

Earnings (4yr)

$43,733

Natl Median: $48,590

Lifetime Value Added

-$138k

Fine and Studio Arts

BachCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$32,144

Natl Median: $41,367

Lifetime Value Added

-$238k

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

BachCIP: 4006

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $60,190

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graphic Communications

BachCIP: 1003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $43,283

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

BachCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$39,252

Natl Median: $50,680

Lifetime Value Added

-$183k

Hospitality Administration/Management

BachCIP: 5209

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,726

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

BachCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,568

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

BachCIP: 2401

Median Debt

$25,000

Earnings (4yr)

$44,651

Natl Median: $53,072

Lifetime Value Added

-$130k

Management Information Systems and Services

BachCIP: 5212

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $83,290

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mathematics

BachCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$41,565

Natl Median: $69,562

Lifetime Value Added

-$142k

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

BachCIP: 1508

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$72,815

Natl Median: $82,073

Lifetime Value Added

+$97k

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

BachCIP: 3099

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,693

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Music

BachCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,892

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

BachCIP: 0301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$50,384

Natl Median: $55,012

Lifetime Value Added

-$82k

Physics

BachCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $76,786

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

BachCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $63,293

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Psychology, General

BachCIP: 4201

Median Debt

$23,093

Earnings (4yr)

$54,321

Natl Median: $50,706

Lifetime Value Added

-$49k

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

BachCIP: 5138

Median Debt

$22,250

Earnings (4yr)

$81,319

Natl Median: $88,910

Lifetime Value Added

+$162k

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

BachCIP: 1609

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$17,162

Natl Median: $55,000

Lifetime Value Added

-$365k

Social Work

BachCIP: 4407

Median Debt

$25,000

Earnings (4yr)

$50,441

Natl Median: $51,790

Lifetime Value Added

-$81k

Sociology

BachCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$42,701

Natl Median: $52,657

Lifetime Value Added

-$147k

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

BachCIP: 3105

Median Debt

$25,000

Earnings (4yr)

$49,348

Natl Median: $54,562

Lifetime Value Added

-$91k

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

BachCIP: 1313

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $51,389

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Master's Degrees

Business Administration, Management and Operations

MastCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$54,644

Natl Median: $103,485

Lifetime Value Added

-$170k

Education, General

MastCIP: 1301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$60,586

Natl Median: $65,824

Lifetime Value Added

-$135k

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

MastCIP: 5138

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $120,193

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graduate Certificates

Education, General

Gr-CertCIP: 1301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$49,139

Natl Median: $69,448

Lifetime Value Added

-$186k

Doctoral Degrees

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

DocCIP: 5138

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $138,131

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.