CU Denver vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than CU Denver based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

CU Denver vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Colorado State ($14,831 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 8.2% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($15,442 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 28.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $2,990 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.3% higher at Colorado State than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $5,392 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (86% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 7% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($10,160 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 90 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver 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: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - 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: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

CU Denver vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $186 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Denver graduates ($217 vs. $219).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Denver students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.