# Colorado Mesa University

> public university in Grand Junction, Colorado

**Wikidata**: [Q1507218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1507218)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Mesa_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/colorado-mesa-university

## Summary
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Founded in 1925 as Grand Junction Junior College, it serves over 9,000 students and operates on a semester-based academic calendar. The institution competes athletically as the Colorado Mesa Mavericks.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, United States (Coordinates: 39.077984, -108.553462).
- **Founded**: 1925 (originally named Grand Junction Junior College).
- **Institution Type**: Public educational institution of the United States (University).
- **Student Enrollment**: 9,110 students (as of Sept 2020); 7,793 full-time equivalent students (as of Aug 2024).
- **Employees**: 1,027 (as of Sept 2020).
- **Endowment**: $42,109,580 USD (as of June 30, 2022).
- **Admission Rate**: 75% (as of 2020).
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester system.
- **Athletics**: Colorado Mesa Mavericks.
- **Campus Address**: 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO, 81501.

## FAQs
### Q: When did Mesa State College become Colorado Mesa University?
A: The institution officially changed its name from Mesa State College to Colorado Mesa University on June 6, 2011.

### Q: What was the original name of Colorado Mesa University?
A: The university was founded in 1925 as Grand Junction Junior College. It was renamed Grand Junction State Junior College in 1932, Mesa College in 1937, and Mesa State College in 1988.

### Q: How competitive is admissions at Colorado Mesa University?
A: Based on 2020 data, the university has an admission rate of 0.75 (75%) and an admission yield rate of 0.3 (30%).

### Q: What is the student body size?
A: As of September 2020, the university had 9,110 students. In August 2024, the full-time equivalent (FTE) student count was 7,793.

## Why It Matters
Colorado Mesa University serves as a significant center for higher education in Western Colorado, specifically in Grand Junction. Its evolution from a junior college in 1925 to a university in 2011 reflects its growth in academic scope and regional importance. The university is classified by the Carnegie Classification system as a "baccalaureate college: diverse fields" with "very high undergraduate" enrollment, indicating a broad range of degree offerings and a primary focus on undergraduate education.

Financially, the institution maintains a substantial endowment of over $42 million (as of FY2022) and employs over 1,000 staff members, making it a key economic driver in Mesa County. Its designation as a public university ensures accessible education, evidenced by its 75% admission rate, serving a diverse student body including those seeking professional programs and graduate coexistence opportunities.

## Notable For
- **History of Evolution**: Transitioned through five distinct names since 1925, evolving from a junior college to a full university.
- **Carnegie Classification**: Recognized as a baccalaureate college with diverse fields and balanced arts & sciences/professions.
- **Athletics**: Competes as the "Colorado Mesa Mavericks."
- **Facilities**: Includes a library system and a campus identified by specific coordinates in Grand Junction.
- **Research & ID**: Indexed by multiple academic databases including ISNI, ROR, and GRID, and recognized by the Times Higher Education World University rankings.

## Body

### History and Naming
Founded in 1925, the institution has undergone several name changes reflecting its expanding academic mission:
- **1925–1932**: Grand Junction Junior College
- **1932–1937**: Grand Junction State Junior College
- **1937–1988**: Mesa College
- **1988–2011**: Mesa State College
- **2011–Present**: Colorado Mesa University (officially renamed June 6, 2011).

### Demographics and Enrollment
The university maintains a student population of approximately 9,110 students (headcount as of Sept 2020). Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment has fluctuated between 7,551 (Sept 2021) and 7,793 (Aug 2024). The institution employs over 1,000 faculty and staff.

### Academic Profile
CMU operates on a **semester** academic calendar. Its Carnegie Classification includes "baccalaureate colleges: diverse fields," "very high undergraduate," and "balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence." The university offers four-year, full-time programs and is characterized as "inclusive, higher transfer-in."

### Financials and Operations
- **Endowment**: Recorded at $49,369,041 in FY2021 and $42,109,580 in FY2022.
- **Admissions**: The admission rate stands at 75% with a yield rate of 30% (2020).
- **Contact**: Main phone is +1-970-248-1860; website is coloradomesa.edu.

### Campus and Location
The campus is situated at **1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO**, within Mesa County. The precise coordinates are 39.077984° N, 108.553462° W. Postal codes for the area include 81501-3122 and 81501-7682.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. [Source](https://www.chrtaskforce.com/resources)
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. Freebase Data Dumps
7. [Source](http://www.coloradomesa.edu)
8. [Source](https://www.coloradomesa.edu/institutional-research/documents/full-time-equivalent/fte21-22.pdf)
9. [Source](https://www.coloradomesa.edu/institutional-research/documents/full-time-equivalent/fte23-24.pdf)
10. [Source](https://www.coloradomesa.edu/institutional-research/documents/full-time-equivalent/fte20-21.pdf)
11. GRID Release 2015-12-14
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. [Source](https://www.denverpost.com/2011/06/06/mesa-state-college-officially-renamed-colorado-mesa-university/)
14. [Source](https://www.coloradomesa.edu/about/history.html)
15. [Source](https://www.coloradomesa.edu/about/facts.html)
16. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
17. Quora
18. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
19. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
20. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
21. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
22. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
23. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
24. National Center for Education Statistics