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#3 Best Public Universities in Colorado

Colorado State Admission Requirements

Fort Collins, Colorado

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Colorado State University Fort Collins

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

90.8%
Admission Difficulty for Colorado State University Fort Collins
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Colorado State is 90.8%.  Its admission rate is the 15th lowest in Colorado.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Colorado State and can you get accepted?

Colorado State University Fort Collins is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 30,066 out of the 33,122 who applied were admitted.

Colorado State University Fort Collins typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Colorado State?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Colorado State University Fort Collins you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.68 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1190 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Colorado State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.68

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Colorado State University Fort Collins?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Colorado State are to have around a 3.68 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.68 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Colorado State accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Colorado State is 3.68 on the 4.0 scale. 28% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Colorado State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Colorado State University Fort Collins students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 27.79% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.73% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.59% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 15.72% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.42% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.61% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.14% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Colorado State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Colorado State University Fort Collins. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 43% of students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1080-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

43%
SAT Scores for Colorado State University Fort Collins
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1080
SAT Scores for Colorado State University Fort Collins
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 640
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Colorado State University Fort Collins?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Colorado State is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1080-1290. Students who get into Colorado State University Fort Collins score in the top 45 percent of all SAT test takers..  Colorado State ranks #6 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Colorado State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1080 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1080, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 970, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Colorado State University Fort Collins is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1185, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

Colorado State University Fort Collins admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >95%
1185 to 1290 Avg + 91%-95%
1080 to 1185 Avg - 84%-91%
975 to 1080 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 975 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

Colorado State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

16%
ACT Scores for Colorado State University Fort Collins
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Colorado State University Fort Collins
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Colorado State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Colorado State is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 29.  The school ranks #6 in Colorado for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

16 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Colorado State University Fort Collins.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Colorado State University Fort Collins is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Colorado State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 29 ACT score.

Colorado State University Fort Collins admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >95%
26 to 29 Avg + 91%-95%
23 to 26 Avg - 84%-91%
20 to 23 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 20 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

78% of Colorado State University Fort Collins freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Colorado State University Fort Collins students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18.2%
Top 25% of class 43%
Top 50% of class 78%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Colorado State University Fort Collins admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 19,416 13,701 33,122
Accepted 17,850 12,212 30,066
Acceptance Rate 92% 89% 91%
Enrolled 3,132 2,438 5,573
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 20% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

222

Applicants have 222 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Colorado State University Fort Collins is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Colorado State University Fort Collins and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Colorado State University Fort Collins Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Colorado State University Fort Collins
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Colorado State University Fort Collins is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.68 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1190 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Colorado State University Fort Collins often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126818 IPEDS survey data for Colorado State University Fort Collins.

Last updated February 24, 2024