Colorado State vs. UW

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 10,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

Colorado State vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or UW? 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 Wyoming than Colorado State ($14,872 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 18.5% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($13,710 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 72.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $5,605 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at Colorado State than at University of Wyoming (about $10,605 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (90% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($10,212 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. UW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 50 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UW (3.53).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 23.8% at UW.

Colorado State vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and UW? 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 Wyoming's (53%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $400 more per year than UW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $2,504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($191 vs. $217).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado State students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.