From campus life to academics and everything in between, here are seven common questions about being a Maverick.
Starting college comes with stress and a lot of questions. At Colorado Mesa University (CMU), students often ask similar questions surrounding academics and campus life, as well as affordability and housing costs. Here are seven frequently asked questions many CMU students have either asked before stepping on campus or even once their Maverick journey has already begun.
- How many students attend CMU?
Colorado Mesa University has steadily grown in recent years, reaching the highest incoming class in Fall 2024. Back when CMU was founded as Grand Junction Junior College in 1925, 39 students registered. A little over 60 years later, CMU switched from Junior College status to Mesa State College, an institution that now offered baccalaureate degree programs and received more funding. In 2011, Mesa State College became Colorado Mesa University and today CMU has 11,051 students currently enrolled.
2. How many students live on campus?
As CMU grows, more dorms and apartments have been built to increase on-campus housing. From apartment-style suites to affordable shared rooms, CMU has a housing option for any student looking to live on campus. At CMU, students must live on campus for two years unless they have residency in Mesa County. As of this year, 2,765 students live on campus.
3. What’s the diversity like on campus?
Colorado Mesa University is 45.8% male and 54.2% female. Aside from this, the school is primarily made up of White people at 62.13%. The rest of the campus is made up of Hispanic, Asian, Black, and Pacific Islander, with Hispanic being the next largest race at 21.30%. Read more on diversity at CMU here.
4. How can students get involved on campus?
There are a lot of opportunities for students to get involved once they are on campus. There are 158 active, registered clubs spanning academic, professional, hobby and special interests. There are also 12 student organizations. These consist of larger campus governing and programming bodies such as the Associated Student Government (ASG) and the Programming Activities Council (PAC). Aside from clubs and organizations, CMU has three fraternities and two sororities.
Another way to get involved is through the Outdoor Program (OP). The OP promotes affordable, safe and environmentally conscious outdoor trips for students on campus. They offer trips, outings, expeditions, courses and equipment rentals.
Students can also join intramural and club sports on campus. The large array of intramural sports at CMU allows students to stay active, engage in friendly competition and create lasting memories at no cost. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or want to try something new, intramural sports give every student a chance at a sport on campus. Club sports allow students to try out and compete at a similar level to NCAA athletes. Many club sports on campus are sports not offered by the NCAA and allow students who compete in niche sports a chance at collegiate athletics. Students can join the returning National Champions in Rugby or take on CMU’s successful Ice Hockey and Shooting Sport teams. There are all kinds of opportunities for students to try out and compete at a high level.
5. Do AP/IB credits count?
Yes, CMU accepts both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits. CMU also accepts and provides Dual-Enrollment credits where high school students can take higher education classes directly through the university. Through Dual-Enrollment, high school students are able to take subjects like English, Math or Chemistry to get college credit once they graduate. Many students take CMU Tech courses as well and find themselves with an associate degree or certificate before they graduate. Some of these courses require entrance exams to take certain classes and require approval from high school counselors. Learn more about Dual-Enrollment here.
6. Why should I choose CMU?
Colorado Mesa University is a tight-knit, hands-on, Human-Scale University that values relationships, academic standards and community. Many students choose CMU for its affordability in the state of Colorado, with the third-lowest tuition in the state. CMU offers millions of dollars in scholarships each year, giving students an affordable chance at higher education.
7. What is there for students to do off campus?
Grand Junction, Colorado, sits in a special part of the state. On the western slope, in the high desert, Grand Junction has more than 300 days of sunshine in a year. Many residents and students spend time outside by going on hikes, camping, mountain biking, paddleboarding, kayaking and so much more. Grand Junction is an active community that supports CMU. From amazing restaurants to seasonal activities, there are so many things for students to do off campus. For more information, read " Things to do while visiting Grand Junction".