Colorado State vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than VCU based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 28,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado State vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or VCU? 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 VCU ($21,011 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 7.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,817 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $3,572 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at VCU than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $5,326 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (88% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($14,186 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Colorado State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Colorado State vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,246 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($21,004 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($217 vs. $240).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.