Colorado State vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Colorado State vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or LSU? 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 LSU ($21,011 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University are 10% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($15,142 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $1,419 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Colorado State than at Louisiana State University (about $6,152 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (88% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 38.7% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($14,094 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or LSU? 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 LSU and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming LSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); LSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 23% at LSU.

Colorado State vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and LSU? 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $104 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,900 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($216 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.