Colorado State vs. FRCC

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than FRCC based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 21,970 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Front Range Community College is in Westminster, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Front Range Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Front Range Community College 22:1.

Colorado State vs. FRCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or FRCC? 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 Front Range Community College than Colorado State ($12,014 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Front Range Community College are 0.4% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,755 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 186.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FRCC (about $8,710 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $4,663.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Colorado State than at Front Range Community College (about $17,520 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $17,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at Front Range Community College (69% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Front Range Community College students ($10,160 vs. $9,349).

Colorado State vs. FRCC Admissions comparison

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

• Front Range Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; FRCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.

Colorado State vs. FRCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than FRCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Front Range Community College graduates have a $7,004 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, FRCC graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($144 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FRCC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 43%)

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.