Colorado College vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

Colorado College vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or Colorado State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado State University Fort Collins than Colorado College ($21,011 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 4.7% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,020 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado College is 428.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $57,361 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.4% higher at Colorado College than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $35,951 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at Colorado College (69% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 400.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($50,834 vs. $10,160).

Colorado College vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College or Colorado State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colorado State and Colorado College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 160 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Colorado State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

Colorado College vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College and Colorado State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.