Colorado State vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

Oregon State University is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

Colorado State vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or OSU? 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 OSU ($21,011 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 2.6% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,386 vs. $16,817).
• Oregon State University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $1,027 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at OSU than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $3,407 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (90% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($11,230 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oregon State University (1270) is 80 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming OSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; OSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at OSU (3.61).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 20.4% at OSU.

Colorado State vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from Oregon State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,496 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($21,004 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($217 vs. $242).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.