Fort Collins, CO · Private University
Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,543
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,896
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,751
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$135,004
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.79x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
66.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,332
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn $15,543 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins ranked by graduate earnings
144 graduates
182 graduates
51 graduates
177 graduates
60 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Colorado State University-Fort Collins, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $101,356) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $27,413) is $73,943/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $101,356 | 3.0x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $90,253 | 2.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,740 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,877 | 2.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $79,607 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $78,010 | 2.3x |
| Information Science/Studies | $77,947 | 2.3x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $77,901 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,656 | 2.0x |
| Chemistry | $65,800 | 1.9x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $64,863 | 1.9x |
| Public Health | $64,493 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $61,513 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $58,736 | 1.7x |
| Soil Sciences | $58,257 | 1.7x |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | $54,616 | 1.6x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $54,347 | 1.6x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $53,694 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,804 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,001 | 1.5x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $51,927 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $49,842 | 1.5x |
| Forestry | $49,831 | 1.5x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $49,128 | 1.5x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $48,343 | 1.4x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $47,312 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,082 | 1.4x |
| Music | $46,495 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $45,792 | 1.4x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $45,774 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $45,702 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $45,631 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,258 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $44,703 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,239 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $43,827 | 1.3x |
| Animal Sciences | $42,721 | 1.3x |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | $42,334 | 1.3x |
| History | $42,306 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,135 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $41,685 | 1.2x |
| Plant Sciences | $41,526 | 1.2x |
| International/Global Studies | $41,037 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,969 | 1.2x |
| Biotechnology(1yr data) | $40,141 | 1.2x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $39,516 | 1.2x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $36,830 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,803 | 1.1x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $32,785 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft(1yr data) | $28,172 | 0.8x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $27,810 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $27,413 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Colorado State University-Fort Collins offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $60,543 10 years after starting, $15,543 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.