Colorado State vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

Colorado State vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or ASU? 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 Appalachian State University than Colorado State ($14,978 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 23.5% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($12,868 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 76.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $5,794 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38% higher at Colorado State than at Appalachian State University (about $9,571 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at Appalachian State University (69% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,160 vs. $8,014).

Colorado State vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or ASU? 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 ASU and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 18.2% at ASU.

Colorado State vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and ASU? 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.