Photo: Colorado Mesa University. Retrieved from: www.coloradomesa.edu
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public liberal arts university in Colorado. The main campus is in Grand Junction with two smaller campuses in northwestern Grand Junction and Montrose. The school enrolls 9,000 students and offers 60 majors. Some of their most popular majors are business, nursing, and elementary education.
CMU was founded on the notion “to enable its students and the residents of Western Colorado to create their own future and not simply enter a future that’s been created for them.” CMU encourages constant growth and change as well as achieving academic success.
When not studying, students can explore Grand Junction that is home to nearly 60,000 people. Students can shop, enjoy museums or visit the Colorado National Monument. Near a city, students can also take advantage of the many businesses that reside in Grand Junction. They can get part-time jobs or apply for internships relating to their major.
School History
CMU was founded in 1925 when Grand Junction junior college was established. The junior college became a college in 1937 under the name of Mesa College. It wasn’t until 1974 that the school started offering four-year degrees to students. In 2011, the college officially changed its name from Colorado Mesa College to Colorado Mesa University. The university continues their goal of high quality education that puts students first.
Notable alumni that has studied at CMU includes: former NFL tight-end for the Green Bay Packers, Ben Steele; San Francisco Giant’s pitcher Sergio Romo; and actor Ricky Schroder.
Campus Life
Administrators at Colorado Mesa University feel that living on campus is vital for a student’s success. CMU requires single freshmen and sophomores who are under 21 and not living with a legal guardian to live on campus. Here students will not have to worry about parking, purchasing food, or getting home because they already are “home.”
There are 12 residence halls on campus for students to live in. Students can choose from co-ed dorms, women’s dorms and apartments. Each dorm comes equipped with a bed and desk in the room with a common bathroom and laundry facilities in the building. Some residence halls such as the Pinon Hall and the Rait Hall offer balconies.
On the campus, students can participate in numerous activities with club sports, outdoor activities and organizations. Students can join the accounting club, art club, or even a Billiards club. Furthermore, students at CMU can cheer on their fellow Mavericks in 19 Varsity sports. Participating in Division II, Mavericks compete in football, lacrosse, and softball. Colorado Mesa University offers numerous sports clinics throughout the summer for the community and annual hosts the Junior College World Series on campus.
Financial Aid
CMU is a public state university which means that they offer Colorado residents a discounted rate on tuition. For Colorado residents a year at CMU will cost them $21,000. For out-of-state residents, CMU will cost $31,000 a year. CMU offers their students grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study options to help fund their education. The average award that CMU gives is around $7,000. Students can expect to be $25,000 in debt upon graduation.
