Colorado State vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Colorado State vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or MSU? 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 Montana State University than Colorado State ($20,142 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University are 16.8% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($14,000 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 58.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $4,913 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Colorado State than at Montana State University (about $1,496 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (83% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($11,763 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 10 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at MSU (3.5).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Colorado State vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,996 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,004 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($217 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.