Alabama vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Alabama 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: The University of Alabama 19:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Alabama vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 Alabama ($21,011 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 10.7% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($15,016 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $1,193 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Colorado State than at The University of Alabama (about $611 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (80% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($17,503 vs. $10,160).

Alabama vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 100 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Alabama 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: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - 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: Alabama May 1, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Alabama vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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).

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,746 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($21,004 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($217 vs. $245).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.