Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University was founded in 1925 as Grand Junction Junior College, operating in the basement of Grand Junction High School. The college moved to its own campus in 1926 and became Mesa State Junior College. In 1937, the college became a four-year institution and was renamed Mesa College. The college continued to grow and was designated as a state college in 1967, becoming Mesa State College. In 1988, the institution was authorized to offer master's degrees. The college experienced significant growth in the early 2000s, adding new programs and facilities. In 2011, the institution was renamed Colorado Mesa University to reflect its expanded mission and comprehensive academic offerings. The university opened its Montrose campus in 2010 to serve students in the surrounding region. CMU has been recognized for its high graduation rates and strong return on investment.