Arapahoe Community College vs Colorado Mesa University
Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data
Verdict
Arapahoe Community College has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Colorado Mesa University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Arapahoe Community College at $26,052 vs Colorado Mesa University at $23,650. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $58,000 vs $55,300.
| Metric | Arapahoe Community College | Colorado Mesa University |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| School Type | Public | Public |
| State | Co | Co |
| Avg Median Debt Average median debt across all tracked majors | $26,052 | $23,650* |
| Avg 1yr Earnings Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors | $58,000* | $55,300 |
| Majors Tracked | 3 | 20 |
| Best ROI Major | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (78/100) | Computer and Information Sciences (96/100)* |
| Best Major Debt | $26,866 | $20,002* |
| Best Major 1yr Earnings | $62,000 | $95,000* |
Arapahoe Community College has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Colorado Mesa University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Arapahoe Community College at $26,052 vs Colorado Mesa University at $23,650. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $58,000 vs $55,300.
Explore More
The side-by-side above pulls the the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data for both entity A and entity B. What follows is the interpretation — which specific axes carry the most weight for entity A versus entity B, and which differences are large enough to influence a real decision.
For households or analysts using this comparison as a decision input, the right framing is usually not "which is better" in aggregate but "which is better for the specific decision in front of you." the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard captures the raw data; the framing depends on whether the question is investment, residency, planning, or research.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.