Colorado State vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (34,709 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); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Colorado State vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky ($21,011 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 4.8% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,016 vs. $16,817).
• University of Kentucky is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $129 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Colorado State than at University of Kentucky (about $643 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (95% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($12,898 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 10 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Kentucky - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Colorado State vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and Kentucky? 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 University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $800 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $1,746 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($21,004 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($217 vs. $235).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.