Colorado State Admission Requirements
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Fort Collins, CO
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Colorado State Admission Overview
Colorado State admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Colorado State admitted 88.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (A-) and SAT 1080-1290 / ACT 23-29. Colorado State is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Colorado State is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Colorado State Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Colorado State University Fort Collins
Acceptance Rate
The Colorado State acceptance rate is 88.5%. Last year, 34,057 of 38,465 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in Colorado.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Colorado State and can you get accepted?
Colorado State is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Colorado State University Fort Collins typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Colorado State GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.68Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.68
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Colorado State typically have around a 3.68 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Colorado State is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
28% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #7 in Colorado for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Colorado State Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Colorado State University does not require SAT or ACT scores for first-year admission. Applicants may send scores, but those results are reviewed only if you email admissions and ask that they be considered. Even then, scores carry little weight and are not used to deny admission or to award scholarships. Submitted scores may be used for composition placement after you are admitted.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.colostate.edu/apply/freshmen/
Colorado State SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1080-1290Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
43%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 550
- Math 530
- Composite 1080
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 640
- Composite 1290
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Colorado State typically score around a 1190 SAT (middle 50% 1080–1290) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 74th percentile nationally. Colorado State ranks #7 in the state of Colorado for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1080 to 1290
SAT policy
Colorado State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Colorado State ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
23-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
16%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 21
- Composite 23
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 27
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Colorado State typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 23–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Colorado State places #7 among colleges in Colorado for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 29
ACT policy
You may apply to Colorado State without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Colorado State chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Colorado State University Fort Collins and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jul 1, 2027Days left to Apply
304Applicants have 304 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Colorado State University Fort Collins is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Colorado State is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 88.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1080-1290); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Colorado State University Fort Collins often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126818.
GPA calculator: Colorado State University Fort Collins GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026