Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins worth it?
Pay $21,279/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,543 ten years out — about 2.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Colorado avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Colorado college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Colorado avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $21,279 | $20,538 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $60,543 | $53,208 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $20,000 | $19,940 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 66.5% | 49.5% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 88.5% | 84% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $126,568 over four years. Most students get $10,363/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $20,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 33% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Colorado State University-Fort Collins grad earns about $621,720 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Colorado State University-Fort Collins
The average student at Colorado State University-Fort Collins pays $21,279 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $31,642 published sticker price. That is above the CO average net price of $20,538.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $60,543 — above the CO median of $53,208. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $20,000, roughly $217 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 33% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Colorado colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $21,279 per year. That's $10,363/yr in financial aid against the $31,642 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $85,116.
How much do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median of $60,543 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $20,000 — about $217/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 31.6% of students take federal loans.
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Colorado State University-Fort Collins a value grade of C — top 54% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $21,279/yr, earn $60,543/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.11. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
21.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 31.6% take federal student loans. On average, students get $10,363 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
In-state tuition is $13,373 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $34,783 per year — a difference of $21,410/yr or $85,640 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $13,259. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $29,763. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →