Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Public · Fort Collins, Colorado · 25,538 undergraduates
Colorado State University-Fort Collins has an average net price of $21,279 per year after grants and scholarships — about $85,116 over four years — versus published tuition of $13,373 in-state / $34,783 out-of-state. Students earn a median of $60,543 ten years after entry , and 66.5% graduate. That gives a 2.8× earnings-to-net-price signal (solid) — meaning roughly 1.4 years of that salary would cover the full four-year net cost.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate, not advice. Net price and earnings depend heavily on your family income, field of study and personal circumstances. Use Colorado State University-Fort Collins's official net price calculator and the College Scorecard before making a financial decision.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins cost & outcomes at a glance
| Indicator | Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
|---|---|
| Average annual net price (after grants/scholarships) | $21,279 |
| In-state tuition & fees (published) | $13,373 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees (published) | $34,783 |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $60,543 |
| Graduation rate (within 150% of time) | 66.5% |
| Admission rate | 88.5% |
| ROI signal — earnings ÷ annual net price | 2.8× (Solid) |
| Est. years of median earnings to cover 4-yr net cost | 1.4 yrs |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 25,538 |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Sticker price vs net price
The published ("sticker") tuition at Colorado State University-Fort Collins is $13,373 for in-state students and $34,783 for out-of-state students. But most students receive grant or scholarship aid, so the figure that matters is the average net price of $21,279 per year. Net price also excludes loans — it is what families actually pay out of pocket and from savings, on average. Lower-income families typically pay well below this average and higher-income families above it.
How we read the ROI signal
Our ROI signal divides the median 10-year earnings ($60,543) by the average annual net price ($21,279), giving 2.8×. That is earnings are well above the net cost. A related gauge: at the median salary it would take about 1.4 years to earn back the full four-year net cost of $85,116. These are simple, transparent ratios — not a financial return — and earnings reflect only federally-aided students across all majors. See the methodology for the formula and its limits.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs peer schools
How Colorado State University-Fort Collins compares with similar schools (same state, then nearest by size and net price):
| School | Net price/yr | Median earnings (10yr) | Grad rate | ROI signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins (this school) | $21,279 | $60,543 | 66.5% | 2.8× |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $69,738 | 74.2% | 2.8× |
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $97,335 | 81.7% | 3.4× |
| Colorado College | $33,375 | $65,222 | 87.7% | 2.0× |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $21,315 | $72,097 | 83.9% | 3.4× |
| University at Buffalo | $20,995 | $70,814 | 75.2% | 3.4× |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | $21,565 | $86,863 | 95.6% | 4.0× |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it actually cost to attend Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The published price is not what most students pay. In-state tuition & fees are $13,373 and out-of-state are $34,783, but the average net price — the cost after grants and scholarships are subtracted — is $21,279 per year, or about $85,116 over four years. Net price varies a lot by family income, so run the school's own net price calculator for your situation. Figures are from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard; verify before relying on them.
What do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn?
Median earnings for Colorado State University-Fort Collins students measured 10 years after they first enrolled are $60,543 per year, which ranks #129 of the 167 schools we track. This figure covers only students who received federal financial aid and blends all fields of study, so individual majors can earn far more or less.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins a good value (ROI)?
On our transparent signal — median 10-year earnings divided by the average annual net price — Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 2.8× (solid): earnings are well above the net cost. By that measure it ranks #124 of 167. It would take roughly 1.4 years of the median salary to cover the full four-year net cost. This is a rough value signal, not a guaranteed return — see the methodology for its limits.
What is the graduation rate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins's completion rate (graduating within 150% of the normal time) is 66.5%, ranking #140 of 167. A higher graduation rate lowers the risk of paying for college without finishing, which is one of the biggest drivers of poor outcomes and student-loan default.
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Sources & accuracy
All figures from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Public domain (U.S. Government work)), latest available institution-level fields, snapshot June 2026. Net price is the average after grant/scholarship aid; earnings are the median for federally-aided students 10 years after entry; the ROI signal and payback years are computed by us (see methodology). These are estimates — verify on the College Scorecard before making any financial decision.
Last updated: 2026-06-20