Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado · Public · 88.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 69/100 · Fair Value
Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 69 (Fair Value), a middling result that reflects real tension between a respected state flagship reputation and financial outcomes that don't fully support the $21,279 net price. Median 6-year earnings of $39,900 and an 8.8-year payback period are uninspiring for a research university of CSU's size and profile. The 66.5% completion rate is adequate. In-state tuition of $13,373 is higher than many peer public universities, and net price of $21,279 pushes the value calculation into Fair rather than Strong territory. The program mix at CSU is extremely broad -- from veterinary sciences to engineering to liberal arts -- and outcomes vary dramatically by major.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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).
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.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,259 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,460 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,905 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,927 |
| $110,001+ | $29,763 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The lowest income bracket (0-$30,000) pays $13,259 per year at CSU -- higher than at many peer public universities and a significant cost for Pell-eligible families. With median 6-year earnings of $39,900 and an 8.8-year payback, the financial case for low-income students depends heavily on program selection. Engineering and CS graduates see strong returns; liberal arts and biology students should weigh options carefully.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $15,905 per year, and the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $21,927. These prices are within the normal range for Colorado public universities. Middle-income families should compare CSU's net price against CU-Boulder's, as the two institutions serve similar markets with somewhat different earnings profiles.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $29,763 per year, or about $119,052 over four years. At an 8.8-year payback, full-pay attendance at CSU produces a reasonable but not exceptional return for most majors. Engineering and computer science justify the cost; music, liberal arts, and some natural science programs are harder to defend at full pay.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,256 | B |
| Biology | $60,981 | C |
| Psychology | $54,268 | C |
| Genetics | $44,226 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $60,835 | C |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,260 | B |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $114,076 | B+ |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $94,921 | B+ |
| Sociology | $57,300 | C |
| International Relations | $67,873 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is CSU's strongest major for earnings: 200 graduates, $78,856 year-one, $114,076 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.295 (ROI grade B+) reflects median debt of $23,250 against year-one earnings near $79k. The Denver-Boulder tech corridor -- Oracle, Amazon Web Services, IBM, and a growing startup ecosystem -- absorbs CSU CS graduates at competitive salaries. Year-four earnings of $114k reflect meaningful career progression in a hot market.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering graduates 201 students with $60,720 year-one and $94,260 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.431 (ROI grade B) reflects median debt of $26,184 -- above average for an in-state public university, which signals significant non-tuition borrowing or extended time-to-degree. Year-four earnings near $94k reflect mid-career mechanical engineering salaries in Colorado's aerospace, defense, and clean energy sectors.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 679 students -- the largest program -- with $54,846 year-one and $79,256 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.382 (ROI grade B) reflects median debt of $20,967. Year-four earnings of $79k are competitive for a Colorado regional business market that includes Denver's corporate base and Fort Collins' growing professional services sector. This is a solid program that justifies CSU's cost for business students.
Biology
Biology graduates 330 students -- the third largest program -- with $32,958 year-one and $60,981 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.698 (ROI grade C) reflects median debt of $23,009 against modest early earnings. The year-four trajectory to $60k reflects pre-med, graduate school, and healthcare career paths, but many biology graduates who do not pursue advanced degrees face constrained early-career finances. At CSU's net price, biology is a fair-value choice for students with clear graduate school or medical school intent.
Genetics
Genetics is the fourth-largest program at 234 graduates with $27,741 year-one and $44,226 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.901 (ROI grade D) is severe: median debt of $25,000 against $27k year-one earnings creates real financial pressure. Most genetics graduates pursue graduate or medical school; those who do not face a difficult early-career earnings situation. This program's volume (234 graduates) is unusually large, and the weak year-one outcome likely reflects the high share of students in graduate education rather than employment.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
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
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% |
| Enrollment | 25,538 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,801 |
At 88.5% acceptance, CSU is accessible to virtually all Colorado applicants with standard high school preparation. The high acceptance rate reflects the land-grant mission of broad access rather than a low-selectivity weakness. Test data is not currently reported; students with solid GPAs should expect admission. The challenge is completing the degree (66.5% rate) and selecting programs with earnings that justify the net price.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSU's peers include Adams State University, CU Denver/Anschutz, University of Kentucky, University of Oregon, and UT San Antonio. At ROI 69, CSU scores below what many Colorado families would expect from a flagship public university. Its earnings premium subscore of 67 and 8.8-year payback reflect the gap between cost and outcomes. University of Oregon and University of Kentucky share similar profiles. CSU's strongest advantage is its Fort Collins setting and agriculture/natural resources identity, which drives outcomes for that specific student population.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins (this school) | 69 | $21,279 | $60,543 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 76 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| University of Kentucky | 69 | $18,851 | $59,025 |
| University of Oregon | 68 | $22,182 | $61,324 |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio | 68 | $10,836 | $57,131 |
| Adams State University | 29 | $12,980 | $44,372 |
Who Thrives Here
CSU admits 88.5% of applicants with no published test score data for recent cohorts. Enrollment of 25,538 makes it a large research university. With 21.1% Pell recipients, it serves a predominantly middle- and upper-income Colorado student body. CSU fits students who want a full land-grant university experience -- agricultural sciences, engineering, natural resources, business -- in a college town setting. Fort Collins is a strong quality-of-life location. Students focused solely on earnings optimization may find the net price too high relative to outcomes; Colorado residents should compare carefully with CU-Boulder and other in-state options.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
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.
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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.