Colorado State vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno than Colorado State ($17,226 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 13.8% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($14,496 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 39.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $3,795 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at Colorado State than at University of Nevada Reno (about $7,063 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (93% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 37.8% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($10,160 vs. $7,375).

Colorado State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 10 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

Colorado State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $2,203 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($18,801 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($194 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.