Colorado State vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (40,757 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); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

Colorado State vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University than Colorado State ($16,919 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 36.1% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($10,742 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $1,521 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.3% higher at Colorado State than at Texas Tech University (about $10,332 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (79% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Tech University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($10,494 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is the same as at Texas Tech (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

Colorado State vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University's (61%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $1,496 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,004 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($217 vs. $232).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Tech 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.