Colorado State vs. FLC

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than FLC based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Fort Lewis College is in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fort Lewis College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Fort Lewis College 14:1.

Colorado State vs. FLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or FLC? 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 Fort Lewis College than Colorado State ($17,114 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Lewis College are 18.7% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($13,680 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 34.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $3,415 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at Colorado State than at Fort Lewis College (about $13,257 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($10,160 vs. $6,610).

Colorado State vs. FLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 80 points higher than at FLC (1110).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at FLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Fort Lewis College 1010/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Fort Lewis College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; FLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; FLC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at FLC (3.3).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 19.5% at FLC.

Colorado State vs. FLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and FLC? 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 State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Fort Lewis College's (37%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $1,504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FLC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.