Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Online | colostate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Colorado State University Fort Collins occupies a 586-acre main campus in Fort Collins, Colorado, situated against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The land-grant institution, established in 1870 as Colorado Agricultural College, features a mix of modern and historic stone buildings in a mountain-town setting. CSU operates as a comprehensive research university with particular strengths in veterinary medicine, environmental science, engineering, and agricultural sciences, while maintaining competitive admission standards for its undergraduate programs. The university houses the majority of first-year students in on-campus residence halls, with additional apartment-style living options for upperclassmen. As a member of the Mountain West Conference, CSU competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with football and volleyball serving as prominent sports programs.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Colorado State is rated within the top 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Colorado State University Fort Collins within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#357 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#99 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Colleges in Colorado
#3 in Best Public Colleges in Colorado
#447 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in Colorado
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1080/1290 |
| ACT | 23/29 |
| GPA | 3.68 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Colorado Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $2,710 |
| Room and Board | $15,606 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,737 |
| Total One Year Cost | $32,439 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $2,710 |
| Room and Board | $15,606 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,737 |
| Total One Year Cost | $53,294 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 15% |
| Work and Family Studies | 10% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
| Communication | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Colorado State are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126818 IPEDS survey data for Colorado State University Fort Collins.
Current students may use the Colorado State University Fort Collins GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025