Colorado State vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

Colorado State vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Nebraska? 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln than Colorado State ($18,322 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 16% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($14,120 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $2,939 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Colorado State than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $6,199 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (94% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($10,541 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska Lincoln (1210) is 20 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Nebraska (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

Colorado State vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $696 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($21,004 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($217 vs. $224).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.