Colorado State vs. DU

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than DU based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 12,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado State vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or DU? 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 DU ($21,011 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 5.3% lower than at University of Denver ($16,817 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 359.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $48,025 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at DU than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $26,615 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (99% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 234.2% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($33,955 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. DU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 140 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming DU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); DU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 9.1% at DU.

Colorado State vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,695 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($21,004 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($217 vs. $245).
• More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.