Colorado College vs. Colorado State

Colorado College and Colorado State University Fort Collins side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colorado College
Colorado State University Fort Collins

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado College (18.5% admitted vs 88.5%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colorado State. Average net price is $21,011 vs $36,123 at Colorado College.
  • Graduation: Colorado College 88% vs Colorado State 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado College $46,000 vs Colorado State $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

Colorado College Colorado State University Fort Collins
Acceptance rate
Colorado College more selective
Colorado College18.5%
Colorado State88.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado College higher
Colorado College1230-1460
Colorado State1080-1290
Average net price
Colorado State $15,112 less
Colorado College$36,123
Colorado State$21,011
In-state tuition
Colorado State $57,361 less
Colorado College$70,734
Colorado State$13,373
Out-of-state tuition
Colorado State $35,951 less
Colorado College$70,734
Colorado State$34,783
Graduation rate
Colorado College +24 pts
Colorado College88%
Colorado State64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colorado State +$5,800
Colorado College$46,000
Colorado State$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colorado College 8,511
  • Colorado State 38,465
  • Admitted
  • Colorado College 1,572
  • Colorado State 34,057
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado College 18.5%
  • Colorado State 88.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado College 30.3%
  • Colorado State 16.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado College 1350
  • Colorado State 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado College 31
  • Colorado State 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado College 3.98
  • Colorado State 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado College A
  • Colorado State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Colorado State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado College Very High
  • Colorado State
  • SAT range
  • Colorado College 1230-1460
  • Colorado State 1080-1290
  • ACT range
  • Colorado College 29-33
  • Colorado State 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado College Test optional
  • Colorado State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado College Jan 15, 2027
  • Colorado State Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Colorado State $13,373
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado College $70,734
  • Colorado State $34,783
  • Room & board
  • Colorado College $16,020
  • Colorado State $16,817
  • Average net price
  • Colorado College $36,123
  • Colorado State $21,011
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado College $50,834
  • Colorado State $10,160
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado College 56%
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Colorado State 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado College $46,000
  • Colorado State $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado College 88%
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado College $20,500
  • Colorado State $21,004
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado College $211
  • Colorado State $217
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado College 9:1
  • Colorado State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado College
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Colorado State
    • Business (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
  • Colorado State Fort Collins, CO
  • Setting
  • Colorado College Large City
  • Colorado State Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado College 2,056
  • Colorado State 34,096
  • Type
  • Colorado College Private 4 Year
  • Colorado State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado College #78
  • Colorado State #354

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 2,056 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
  • Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 4.7% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,020 vs. $16,817).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 103.4% higher at Colorado College than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $35,951 more per year; $70,734 vs. $34,783).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at Colorado College (69% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 400.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($50,834 vs. $10,160).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Colorado College than at Colorado State (31 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colorado College and Colorado State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado College average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Colorado State (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,004).
  • Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($211 vs. $217).
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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