Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Fort Collins, Colorado
Net price / year
$21,279
after grants & scholarships
higher than 92% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
89%
Graduation rate
67%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 83% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$67,911
4 years after graduating
higher than 78% of public 4-year colleges
Colorado State University-Fort Collins at a glance
- What is the tuition at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $13,373 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $34,783 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
- The average cost of attendance is $31,642 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
- The average net price for in-state students is $21,279 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
- About 89% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins test optional?
- Test policy reported to the federal government: Tests neither required nor recommended.
- What is the graduation rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
- 67% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn?
- The median graduate earns $67,911 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- At $21,279 a year, the average net price is higher than 92% of public 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.1 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- Graduates earn a median $67,911 four years after finishing, more than 78% of public 4-year colleges.
- 67% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 83% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $13,259 a year on average, versus $29,763 for families earning over $110,000.
Tuition and cost of attendance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Average net price (in-state)
$21,279 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the Colorado State University-Fort Collins net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$85,116
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $13,259
- $30–48k $14,460
- $48–75k $15,905
- $75–110k $21,927
- $110k+ $29,763
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $31,642
- Tuition & fees$13,373
- Books & supplies$1,200
- Room & board$16,817
- Other expenses$3,294
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $13,373
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $34,783
Colorado State University-Fort Collins acceptance rate and admissions
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Tests neither required nor recommended
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Graduation rate
67%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
85%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$212
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
3.1 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 3.7%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 67%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $40,471 · median $60,543 · 75th percentile $88,212
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 8,809 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 11%
- Making progress 12%
- Not making progress 11%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 51%
- Deferment 12%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
8,809 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 151 | $114,076 | 1 yr$78,8564 yrs$114,0765 yrs$121,497 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,569 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 35 | $102,765 | 1 yr$67,8274 yrs$102,7655 yrs$100,588 | U.S. median $85,294 U.S. middle half $59.8K–$116.9K · Above the U.S. median | $23,869 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $99,172 | 1 yr$78,0384 yrs$99,1725 yrs$107,989 | U.S. median $100,647 U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Below the U.S. median | $25,176 |
| Fire Protection Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $98,019 | 4 yrs$98,0195 yrs$98,338 | U.S. median $86,436 U.S. middle half $62.7K–$114.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 55 | $97,271 | 1 yr$62,4684 yrs$97,2715 yrs$97,269 | U.S. median $98,158 U.S. middle half $80.3K–$118K · Below the U.S. median | $20,549 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's · Graduates: 179 | $94,921 | 1 yr$78,4234 yrs$94,9215 yrs$100,451 | U.S. median $93,843 U.S. middle half $77.4K–$111.7K · Above the U.S. median | $23,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 207 | $94,260 | 1 yr$60,7204 yrs$94,2605 yrs$89,087 | U.S. median $92,135 U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median | $25,708 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $88,001 | 1 yr$73,3264 yrs$88,0015 yrs$85,902 | U.S. median $86,517 U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Above the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $82,005 | 1 yr$66,1094 yrs$82,0055 yrs$77,901 | U.S. median $81,171 U.S. middle half $68.9K–$95.2K · Above the U.S. median | $26,747 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 650 | $79,256 | 1 yr$54,8464 yrs$79,2565 yrs$78,287 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
Show all 50 programs
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $71,631 | 1 yr$41,1584 yrs$71,6315 yrs$75,612 | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Above the U.S. median | $22,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $71,615 | 1 yr$42,6604 yrs$71,6155 yrs$80,180 | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median | $16,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $70,343 | 1 yr$38,4844 yrs$70,3435 yrs$62,741 | U.S. median $65,466 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$88.4K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 144 | $69,934 | 1 yr$48,4624 yrs$69,9345 yrs$69,679 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Bachelor's · Graduates: 53 | $69,269 | 1 yr$39,7014 yrs$69,2695 yrs$64,977 | U.S. median $62,582 U.S. middle half $44K–$83.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 99 | $67,873 | 1 yr$36,3244 yrs$67,8735 yrs$61,493 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $18,500 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $66,984 | 1 yr$51,0054 yrs$66,9845 yrs$58,189 | U.S. median $58,494 U.S. middle half $43.2K–$76.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $65,940 | 4 yrs$65,9405 yrs$61,672 | U.S. median $51,490 U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $62,919 | 1 yr$37,5394 yrs$62,9195 yrs$53,875 | U.S. median $58,784 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$73.1K · Above the U.S. median | $22,073 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $62,556 | 1 yr$41,6884 yrs$62,5565 yrs$53,160 | U.S. median $56,726 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Above the U.S. median | $18,500 |
| Interior Architecture Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $61,894 | 1 yr$45,7744 yrs$61,894 | U.S. median $60,369 U.S. middle half $47.9K–$72.3K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 203 | $61,434 | 1 yr$38,7314 yrs$61,4345 yrs$54,306 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 139 | $60,981 | 1 yr$32,9584 yrs$60,9815 yrs$58,902 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 208 | $60,835 | 1 yr$35,3264 yrs$60,8355 yrs$55,064 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $59,528 | 1 yr$32,7854 yrs$59,528 | U.S. median $60,053 U.S. middle half $43.2K–$76.8K · Below the U.S. median | $22,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 62 | $58,983 | 1 yr$51,2924 yrs$58,9835 yrs$62,394 | U.S. median $66,647 U.S. middle half $48.6K–$90.4K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Soil Sciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $57,671 | 1 yr$46,2874 yrs$57,6715 yrs$55,660 | U.S. median $62,122 U.S. middle half $49.3K–$87.4K · Below the U.S. median | $16,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 149 | $57,300 | 1 yr$37,3354 yrs$57,3005 yrs$56,681 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $19,746 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 72 | $57,184 | 1 yr$34,8524 yrs$57,1845 yrs$55,279 | U.S. median $57,640 U.S. middle half $40.6K–$75.9K · Below the U.S. median | $19,563 |
| Biotechnology Bachelor's · Graduates: 39 | $55,981 | 1 yr$40,1414 yrs$55,981 | U.S. median $67,097 U.S. middle half $46.7K–$89K · Below the U.S. median | $18,386 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $55,647 | 4 yrs$55,6475 yrs$60,473 | U.S. median $49,984 U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Above the U.S. median | $15,479 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 94 | $54,720 | 1 yr$38,1344 yrs$54,7205 yrs$51,722 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Above the U.S. median | $18,950 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 67 | $54,370 | 1 yr$35,3224 yrs$54,3705 yrs$52,979 | U.S. median $48,842 U.S. middle half $36K–$64.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 190 | $54,268 | 1 yr$37,1214 yrs$54,2685 yrs$51,931 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 55 | $53,934 | 1 yr$36,1114 yrs$53,9345 yrs$56,056 | U.S. median $49,634 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.9K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 238 | $53,597 | 1 yr$36,2144 yrs$53,5975 yrs$48,432 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Above the U.S. median | $20,425 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 127 | $53,528 | 1 yr$36,3524 yrs$53,5285 yrs$55,367 | U.S. median $56,278 U.S. middle half $40.6K–$73.9K · Below the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $52,971 | 1 yr$33,1614 yrs$52,9715 yrs$52,324 | U.S. median $50,468 U.S. middle half $37.5K–$64.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $52,144 | 1 yr$36,2724 yrs$52,1445 yrs$52,465 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 94 | $51,830 | 1 yr$34,5404 yrs$51,8305 yrs$49,230 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $22,996 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 54 | $50,330 | 1 yr$34,3464 yrs$50,3305 yrs$48,025 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Below the U.S. median | $14,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 49 | $48,973 | 1 yr$28,9194 yrs$48,9735 yrs$52,921 | U.S. median $59,972 U.S. middle half $40.8K–$82.9K · Below the U.S. median | $19,296 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 73 | $46,154 | 1 yr$27,5494 yrs$46,1545 yrs$47,320 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 156 | $44,226 | 1 yr$27,7414 yrs$44,2265 yrs$49,193 | U.S. median $44,055 U.S. middle half $32.9K–$58.8K · Above the U.S. median | $23,875 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 47 | $43,129 | 1 yr$27,1784 yrs$43,1295 yrs$52,109 | U.S. median $46,676 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 43 | $42,034 | 1 yr$36,9804 yrs$42,034 | U.S. median $56,567 U.S. middle half $41.8K–$73.9K · Below the U.S. median | $17,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 88 | $41,309 | 1 yr$30,1434 yrs$41,3095 yrs$44,547 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $39,595 | 1 yr$31,8814 yrs$39,5955 yrs$47,210 | U.S. median $40,334 U.S. middle half $26.1K–$53.3K · Below the U.S. median | $21,968 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $39,414 | 1 yr$38,2774 yrs$39,4145 yrs$53,174 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Below the U.S. median | $26,837 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $34,552 | 1 yr$28,1724 yrs$34,552 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Below the U.S. median | — |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 69.6%
- Black or African American 2.7%
- Hispanic or Latino 16%
- Asian 2.9%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.2%
- Two or more races 5%
- U.S. nonresident 2.3%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 0.7%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 45.1%
- Women 54.9%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
10%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 25,538
- Part-time students
- 10%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 21%
- Receive federal loans
- 32%
- Students per faculty member
- 17 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Colorado State University-Fort Collins reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $13,373 for in-state students and $34,783 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The average cost of attendance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins is $31,642 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $21,279 a year. That is higher than 92% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins get?
21% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 32% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $13,259 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $29,763 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins admitted about 89% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
67% of first-time, full-time students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins finish within 150% of normal time. 85% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $67,911 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $43,283.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For Colorado State University-Fort Collins, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.1 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $20,000, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 67% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
How much debt do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed have a median federal-loan debt of $20,000, or about $212 a month on a 10-year plan.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things