Colorado State University-Fort Collins: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Fort Collins, Colorado · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Or open Colorado State University-Fort Collins in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public university in Fort Collins, Colorado that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $21,279 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 68% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. For the most recent reporting cycle, Colorado State University-Fort Collins admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. Admitted students typically post an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,279 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
65% of enrolled students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Colorado State University-Fort Collins weight in admissions?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores Colorado State University-Fort Collins typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 26 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Test-blind: Colorado State University-Fort Collins does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 19.3% |
| Top 25% of class | 44.8% |
| Top 50% of class | 77.3% |
| % submitting class rank | 59.9% |
How much does Colorado State University-Fort Collins actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,373 for in-state students and $34,783 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,817 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $21,279 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $11,093 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,432 |
| Room and board | $17,508 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $21,279 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Colorado State University-Fort Collins
| Regular deadline | July 31 |
| Notification date | Rolling beginning October 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 15 |
Will my child graduate from Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
These predict outcomes at Colorado State University-Fort Collins better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
The most popular undergraduate programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services. Across all programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins confers roughly 2,263 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $78,287 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 651 | $78,287 |
| Biology, General | 318 | $58,902 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | 261 | — |
| Psychology, General | 256 | $51,931 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 207 | $55,064 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 200 | $49,193 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 189 | $121,497 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 181 | $100,451 |
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Colorado State University-Fort Collins disclosed 64 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 34 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
About 27% of undergraduates at Colorado State University-Fort Collins live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 6% of men join a fraternity and 8% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Colorado parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Common questions parents ask about Colorado State University-Fort Collins
What GPA do I need for Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
65% of enrolled students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Colorado State University-Fort Collins typically admit?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does Colorado State University-Fort Collins actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Colorado State University-Fort Collins after grants and scholarships is $21,279 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,373 and $34,783 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins realistic for my child?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins admits 89% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $21,279 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins accepts about 89% of applicants out of roughly 38,365 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins test-optional?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
About 68% of students at Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduate within six years. 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Colorado State University-Fort Collins look for in applicants?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins a public or private school, and where is it located?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
What are the most popular majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The largest undergraduate majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services. The school awards about 2,263 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reported 64 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
At Colorado State University-Fort Collins, 27% of undergraduates live on campus, 6% of men are in fraternities, 8% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Colorado State University-Fort Collins, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers