Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado · Public · 88.5% acceptance rate

ROI Score: 69/100 · Fair Value

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fair Value

ROI Score

Earnings Premium

67(0.30x)

Payback Period

69(8.8 yr)

Debt / Earnings

73(0.50)

Completion Rate

71(67%)

Repayment Rate

66(79%)

Quick Numbers

In-state tuition + fees	$13,373/yr
Out-of-state tuition + fees	$34,783/yr
Average net price	$21,279/yr
Total 4-year cost (net)	$85,116
Median earnings (10yr post-entry)	$60,543
Median earnings (6yr post-entry)	$39,900
Median debt at graduation	$20,000
Estimated monthly loan payment	$212
Estimated payback period	8.8 years
6-year graduation rate	66.5%
Undergraduate enrollment	25,538

Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/Year	4-Year Est.
$0 - $30,000	$13,259	$53,036
$30,001 - $48,000	$14,460	$57,840
$48,001 - $75,000	$15,905	$63,620
$75,001 - $110,000	$21,927	$87,708
$110,001+	$29,763	$119,052

Earnings by Major

Top 10 most popular majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins with available earnings data.

Major	Median Earnings	Debt	Debt/Earnings	Grade	Graduates
Business Administration, Management, and Operations	$79,256	$20,967	0.38	B	679
Biology	$60,981	$23,009	0.70	C	330
Psychology	$54,268	$23,147	0.62	C	284
Genetics	$44,226	$25,000	0.90	D	234
Kinesiology and Exercise Science	$60,835	$22,000	0.62	C	217
Mechanical Engineering	$94,260	$26,184	0.43	B	201
Computer and Information Sciences	$114,076	$23,250	0.29	B+	200
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician	$94,921	$25,000	0.32	B+	165
Sociology	$57,300	$23,000	0.62	C	145
International Relations	$67,873	$19,500	0.54	C+	140

Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.

The Full Financial Picture

The sticker price at Colorado State University-Fort Collins is $13,373/year ($34,783/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,279/year, or roughly $85,116 over four years.

That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,259/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,763/year.

The median graduate leaves with $20,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $212 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $60,543 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.50 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.

How Graduates Do

Earnings

6 years after entry$39,900

+$4,900 vs. HS grad

10 years after entry$60,543

+$25,543 vs. HS grad

Annual earnings premium$25,543

Over median HS graduate ($35,000)

Loan Repayment

Metric	This School	Nat'l Avg
1-year repayment	73.4%	52.0%
3-year repayment	78.7%	62.0%
5-year repayment	73.8%	68.0%
7-year repayment	79.1%	72.0%

Completion Rate

0%National avg: 60.0%100%

66.5%

6-year rate

Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance rate	88.5%
Enrollment	25,538
Pell Grant recipients	21.1%
Avg faculty salary (monthly)	$11,801

Compared to Similar Schools

Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.

School	ROI	Net Price	10yr Earnings	Debt	Completion
Colorado State University-Fort Collins (this school)	69	$21,279	$60,543	$20,000	66.5%
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	76	$11,900	$64,270	$20,500	46.2%
University of Kentucky	69	$18,851	$59,025	$22,500	71.4%
University of Oregon	68	$22,182	$61,324	$20,139	71.7%
The University of Texas at San Antonio	68	$10,836	$57,131	$20,500	52.6%
Adams State University	29	$12,980	$44,372	$19,500	39.4%

The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats

Fair Value

Colorado State University-Fort Collins offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $21,279 per year leads to $85,116 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $60,543 a decade out. The payback period of 8.8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.

Median debt of $20,000 against $60,543 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.

Rankings & Links

Best ROI in Colorado Best ROI Public Schools Best ROI Overall

Guides & Tools

Calculate your ROI for Colorado State University-Fort →Compare Colorado State to other schools →Is college worth it in 2026? →How to compare financial aid offers →How much student debt is too much? →State school vs private ROI →The real cost of college in 2026 →

Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)

Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25

Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.

Methodology Data Sources