Colorado State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public research university in Fort Collins, Colorado, enrolling about 25,538 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 88.54% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $60,543 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $13,373
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,279 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.54% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 25,538 90.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 66.51%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 24.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 9.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 74.4%
- Average ACT Score: 26
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,092
- Applicants (IPEDS): 36,612
- Room & Board: $16,817 annual estimate
Colorado State University-Fort Collins: what the data shows
Common questions about Colorado State University-Fort Collins, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (ZIP 80523-0100).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins public or private?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a Public institution.
How much does Colorado State University-Fort Collins cost?
Published tuition: $13,373 in-state, $34,783 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $21,279.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $13,259 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,460 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,905 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,927 |
| $110,001+ | $29,763 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $53,492.
How hard is it to get into Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Admission rate: 88.54%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Total enrollment: 25,538 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 29,092 students.
Graduate enrollment: 7,875 students.
About 90% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
150%-time completion rate: 66.51%.
First-year retention: 85.9%.
What do graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn?
Median earnings: $49,748 six years after entry; $60,543 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,000.
21.09% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Colorado State University-Fort Collins known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (775 completions)
- Psychology, General (359 completions)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other (282 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (267 completions)
- Biomedical Sciences, General (236 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (225 completions)
- Business Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences (225 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (211 completions)
- General Studies (205 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (204 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 88.54%; completion rate 66.51%; median earnings $60,543 at 10 years; net price $21,279. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$13,373
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Colorado State University-Fort Collins was $13,373.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,279
2024 Value
In 2024 Colorado State University-Fort Collins had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,279.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$85,116 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,279 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$53,492 4-Year In-State Tuition
$139,132 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,817 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$31,390 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$125,560 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.09% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
31.56% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Colorado State University-Fort Collins was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Colorado State University-Fort Collins in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $9,313 | $25,166 | $15,707 |
| 2014 | $9,897 | $26,277 | $16,526 |
| 2015 | $10,558 | $27,267 | $16,777 |
| 2016 | $11,052 | $28,346 | $18,318 |
| 2017 | $11,395 | $28,903 | $18,700 |
| 2018 | $11,707 | $29,608 | $19,800 |
| 2019 | $11,901 | $30,622 | $18,668 |
| 2020 | $11,814 | $30,535 | $18,679 |
| 2021 | $12,331 | $31,613 | $19,016 |
| 2022 | $12,874 | $32,734 | $18,512 |
| 2023 | $12,896 | $33,751 | $20,332 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
88.54% Acceptance Rate
36,612 Total Applicants
32,801 Students Admitted
5,293 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.14% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reported total enrollment of about 25,538 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (69.6%), Hispanic or Latino (16.0%), and Two or More Races (5.0%). About 21.09% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
90.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Colorado State University-Fort Collins in 2024 is 25,538 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 29,092 students. Graduate enrollment is about 7,875 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
85.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 69.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
46.81% 100% Completion Time
66.51% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 46.81% of students graduating from Colorado State University-Fort Collins completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Psychology, General: 21% male / 79% female
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 50% male / 50% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Return on Investment
$20,000 Median Student Debt
$60,543 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
33.03% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
611.30% Return on Investment
3.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 145 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 775 completions
2. Psychology, General: 359 completions
3. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 282 completions
4. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 267 completions
5. Biomedical Sciences, General: 236 completions
6. Mechanical Engineering: 225 completions
7. Business Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences: 225 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 211 completions
9. General Studies: 205 completions
Most popular programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Colorado State University-Fort Collins from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,801
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $16,781
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public institution located in Fort Collins, CO, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. Enrollment is approximately 25,538 students. Student body composition includes White (69.6%), Hispanic or Latino (16.0%), Two or More Races (5.0%). The admission rate is 88.54%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 26. The 150%-time completion rate is 66.51%. Approximately 21.09% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Fort Collins, CO 80523-0100
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 145 distinct degree programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Colorado State University-Fort Collins located?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO.
What is Colorado State University-Fort Collins's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins is 88.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 36,612 applicants and 32,801 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Colorado State University-Fort Collins cost?
Reported tuition is $13,373 and average net price is $21,279 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,817 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports undergraduate enrollment of about 29,092 students, White (69.6%), Hispanic or Latino (16.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
About 24.2% of students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn?
Median earnings are $49,748 six years after entry and $60,543 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The 150%-time completion rate is 66.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Colorado State University-Fort Collins students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,000.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins public or private?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public institution located in Fort Collins, CO.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins an HBCU?
No. Colorado State University-Fort Collins is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins a tribal college?
No. Colorado State University-Fort Collins is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college profile
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Fort Collins, Colorado city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- University of Colorado Boulder vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Fort Collins, Colorado city profile
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.