Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO

Download PDF Download as PDF Opens a modal dialog View Map
  Opens a modal dialog email

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/

Public
Co-ed
26,400
Undergraduate
Students
(51.7%) 13,653 Women
(48.3%) 12,747 Men
7,294
Graduate
Students

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%
See more

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
See more

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
See more

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
See more

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%
See more

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

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

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
E-mail
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

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

Email
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."