Public

Large

Mountain West Conference

Colorado State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range1060 to 1280

ACT Range22 to 29

Average GPA3.69

Acceptance Rate88.6%

Colorado State’s high admit rate means many qualified students have a real opening here, so use testing strategically rather than treating it as the whole application. With test-optional admissions, submit scores if they strengthen your profile. A practical target is near the top of the range: about a 1280 SAT or 29 ACT.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Colorado State University facts and stats

Quick Facts

Colorado State University enrolls about 26,500 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. Colorado State has an 86% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 67%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.

Location

Fort Collins, CO

Undergrad Enrollment26,500

Freshman Retention86%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio17:1

Graduation Rate67%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How do your scores compare at Colorado State?

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Key Colorado State University application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

January 15

Early Action

November 15

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

November 15

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

March 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

Colorado State is test-optional, so follow this timeline only if you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores: take your first test by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall for retakes. For the November 15 Early Action deadline, an October retake is typically the last fall test whose scores can arrive in time.

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What you'll actually pay

Colorado State is a public Mountain West Conference university with in-state tuition of $10,609 and out-of-state tuition of $32,297. About 39% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.

In-State Tuition$10,609

Out-of-State Tuition$32,297

Room and Board$16,817

Average Merit Award$5,327

Application Fee$50

Students on Aid39%

Average Aid Package$12,538

Average Debt at Grad$30,309

For out-of-state students, Colorado State University tuition is $32,297, while in-state tuition is $10,609; room and board adds $16,817. About 39% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $12,538. Merit awards average $5,327, which can help reduce the billed cost for qualifying students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $30,309.