Auburn vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Auburn vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Colorado State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado State University Fort Collins than Auburn ($21,011 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 1.1% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,626 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $483 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Auburn than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $139 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (80% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 7% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($10,872 vs. $10,160).

Auburn vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Colorado State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colorado State and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 140 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Auburn vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Colorado State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $496 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.