Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado State University is a public university. Founded in 1870, it became Colorado's first land-grant college in 1879 and was granted university status in 1957. The land-grant concept of a balanced program of teaching, research, extension and public service provides the foundation of the university's teaching and research programs. Education at Colorado State encompasses the major areas of human knowledge: sciences, arts, humanities and the professions. The university also has a wide range of programs to meet the social, recreational and academic needs of its diverse student population. The Lory Student Center, rated one of the ten best student centers in the country, provides a focal point for student life on campus. Its 562-acre main campus is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, in Fort Collins, 65 miles north of Denver.
Website: www.colostate.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Moderately difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 84% of 24,496 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Regular Admission Deadline
- February 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.64
- SAT Math
- 530-640 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
- 540-640 range of middle 50%
- ACT Composite
- 26 average
23-28 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- In-state: $27,255
Out-of-state: $45,156 - Tuition and Fees
- In-state: $11,831
Out-of-state: $29,732 - Room and Board
- $11,964
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 63%
- Average Freshman Award
- $10,780
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $25,391
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 1,049
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 10% of classes
10-19 students: 25% of classes
20-29 students: 25% of classes
30-39 students: 13% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 11% of classes
Over 100 students: 8% of classes
Campus Life
- Fort Collins Population
- 152,061
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Denver
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 30% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Ram (Cam')
- Sororities
- 7% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 5% of men participate
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.4% American Indian/Alaskan Native
2.7% Asian
2.4% Black/African-American
14.3% Hispanic/Latino
4.0% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
74.8% White
1.2% Unknown - International Students
- 3.4% from 76 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 84.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.5%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 66%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 18.0%
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Moderately Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | 4 |
Mathematics | 4 | 4 |
Science | 3 | 3 |
Foreign Language | 1 | 2 |
Social Studies | 2 | 2 |
History | 1 | 1 |
Academic Electives | 2 | 2 |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | Not reported |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | Not used if submitted | Not reported |
SAT Subject Tests Only | Not used if submitted | |
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Not used ACT: Not used |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- City, State, Zip
- Fort Collins, CO 80523
- Phone
- (970) 491-6909
- Fax
- (970) 491-7799
- admissions@colostate.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- February 1
- Application Fee
- $50
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- Rolling, notification begins September 15
- Accept Offer of Admission
- By May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified after May 1
- Waiting List Used
- No
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Early Decision Deadline
- Early Decision Notification
- Early Action Offered
- Yes
- Early Action Deadline
- December 1
- Early Action Notification
- Rolling
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 1 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 84% of 24,496 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 85% of 13,834 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 82% of 10,662 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 6,691 (33%) of 20,508 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 3,618 (31%) of 11,799 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 3,395 (39%) of 8,709 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- Early Action Admission Rate
- 90% of 15,787 applicants were admitted
- Students Offered Wait List
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- Students Admitted From Wait List
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.64
- 3.75 and Above
- 39%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 23%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 14%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 16%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 8%
- 2.00 - 2.49
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 530-640 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 8%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 34%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 48%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 9%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 540-640 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 8%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 42%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 41%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 8%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 26 average
23-28 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 18%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 50%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 31%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 2%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 20%
Top quarter: 46%
Top half: 81% - National Merit Scholar
- 0%
- Valedictorian
- 1%
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- In-state: $27,255
Out-of-state: $45,156 - Tuition and Fees
- In-state: $11,831
Out-of-state: $29,732 - Room and Board
- $11,964
- Books and Supplies
- $1,200
- Other Expenses
- $2,260
- Payment Plans
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline March 1
- Award Notification
- On a rolling basis beginning March 1
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 001350 |
Free |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 3,985 (87.7%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 2,522 (63.4%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 2,336 (92.3%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 619 (35.5%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 63%
- Average Award
- $10,780
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 1,818 (84.8%) of aid recipients, average amount $8,699
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 1,747 (72.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $5,362
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 920 (41.9%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 834 (18.3%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $5,899
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 15,962 (67.2%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 11,347 (71.1%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 10,497 (92.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 2,097 (25.6%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 63%
- Average Award
- $11,511
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 7,645 (74.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $8,484
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 8,245 (79.3%) of aid recipients, average amount $6,809
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 2,673 (24.0%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 3,317 (13.6%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $5,199
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 54%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $25,391
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- Not reported
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- Not reported
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Other Loans
- Private loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- None
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Applied Art and Design, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Performing Arts, Theater/Drama
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children of Faculty/Staff, First-Generation College Students, International Students, Members of Minorities, Veterans
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- Not reported
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Teacher Education
- Animal Sciences, General
- Anthropology
- Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
- Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biomedical Sciences, General
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Civil Engineering, General
- Computational Science
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
- Dance, General
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Ecology
- Economics, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Engineering Science
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Science
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Equestrian/Equine Studies
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- Fire Services Administration
- Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Forestry, General
- Geography
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- History, General
- Horticultural Science
- Human Development and Family Studies, General
- Information Science/Studies
- Interior Architecture
- Interior Design
- International/Global Studies
- Journalism
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Landscape Architecture
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology, General
- Music, General
- Natural Resources/Conservation, General
- Natural Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition Sciences
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, General
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Psychology, General
- Range Science and Management
- Restaurant/Food Services Management
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Soil Science and Agronomy, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Statistics, General
- Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
- Wildlife Biology
- Women's Studies
- Zoology/Animal Biology
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Business/marketing, Biological/life sciences, Engineering
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- Engineering
- Special Programs
- Accelerated program, Cooperative work study program, Distance learning, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- Some online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Not required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 1,049
- Part-Time Faculty
- 643
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- Not reported
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 10% of classes
10-19 students: 25% of classes
20-29 students: 25% of classes
30-39 students: 13% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 11% of classes
Over 100 students: 8% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: 7% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 31% of discussion sections/labs
20-29 students: 41% of discussion sections/labs
30-39 students: 12% of discussion sections/labs
40-49 students: 5% of discussion sections/labs
50-59 students: 3% of discussion sections/labs
Over 100 students: 1% of discussion sections/labs
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 2,405,645
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 1700
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Education, Master of Computer Information Systems, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Extension Education, Master of Social Work, Master of Computer Science, Master of Accounting, Master of Natural Resource Stewardship, Master of Business Administration, Master of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Master of Science, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Engineering, Master of Agriculture, Master of Technology Management, Master of Agricultural and Extension Education, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Greenhouse Gas Management and Accounting, Master of Applied Statistics
Master's Programs of Study
- Accounting
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Agricultural Sciences--General
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Art/Fine Arts
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Botany
- Business Administration and Management--General
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child and Family Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Conservation Biology
- Counselor Education
- Education--General
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- Environmental Management and Policy
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Fish, Game, and Wildlife Management
- Food Science and Technology
- Geosciences
- Higher Education
- History
- Horticulture
- Human Development
- Landscape Architecture
- Liberal Studies
- Management Information Systems
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Public History
- Sociology
- Speech and Interpersonal Communication
- Statistics
- Student Affairs
- Water Resources
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Agricultural Sciences--General
- Anthropology
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Botany
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child and Family Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Conservation Biology
- Counselor Education
- Education--General
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- Environmental Management and Policy
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Fish, Game, and Wildlife Management
- Food Science and Technology
- Geosciences
- Higher Education
- Horticulture
- Human Development
- Landscape Architecture
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Speech and Interpersonal Communication
- Statistics
- Student Affairs
- Veterinary Medicine
- Water Resources
Location and Setting
- Fort Collins Population
- 152,061
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Denver
- Campus Size
- 4,773 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 16.1 average low in January, 81.4 average high in September
- Rain
- 101 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 1 mile(s) from campus in Fort Collins
- Nearest Train Station
- 65 mile(s) from campus in Denver
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Coed housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 30% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 70%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Ram (Cam')
- School Colors
- Green and gold
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Basketball | x | x | x | x |
Cross-Country Running | x | x | x | x |
Golf | x | x | x | |
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | x | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | x | x |
Volleyball | x | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Basketball | x | x |
Cross-Country Running | x | x |
Golf | x | |
Soccer | x | x |
Softball | x | x |
Swimming And Diving | x | x |
Tennis | x | x |
Track And Field | x | x |
Volleyball | x | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Basketball | x | x |
Cross-Country Running | x | x |
Golf | x | x |
Soccer | ||
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | ||
Tennis | ||
Track And Field | x | x |
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- crew, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, riflery, rock climbing, rowing, rugby, skiing (downhill), table tennis, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee, water polo, wrestling
- Men's Club Sports
- badminton, baseball, bowling, crew, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, racquetball, riflery, rock climbing, rowing, rugby, sand volleyball, skiing (downhill), soccer, softball, swimming and diving, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- badminton, basketball, bowling, golf, racquetball, sand volleyball, soccer, softball, table tennis, tennis, track and field, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, marching band, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities, photography at colorado state university, outdoor club at csu, biomedical student association, criminal justice organization, colorado state university zoology club
- Sororities
- 7% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 5% of men participate
- ROTC
- Army ROTC offered on campus, Air Force ROTC offered on campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 26,400
- Women
- 13,653 (51.7%)
- Men
- 12,747 (48.3%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 22,310
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.4% American Indian/Alaskan Native
2.7% Asian
2.4% Black/African-American
14.3% Hispanic/Latino
4.0% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
74.8% White
1.2% Unknown - International Students.
- 3.4% from 76 countries
- Average Age
- 21
- All Graduate Students
- 7,294
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 84.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.5%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 67.6%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 68.9%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 66%
- Average Starting Salary
- 66%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 18.0%
- Disciplines Pursued
- Not reported
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."