U of U vs CSU-FC

When it comes to higher education, University of Utah and Colorado State University-Fort Collins stand out as two prominent institutions offering diverse academic opportunities. With acceptance rates of 84% and 79% respectively, both universities welcome a substantial number of students each year. While the University of Utah boasts a larger student body, Colorado State University-Fort Collins maintains a smaller community feel. In terms of popular majors, the University of Utah excels in fields like biology, psychology, and business, while Colorado State University-Fort Collins is renowned for its programs in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including graduation rates, student demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	University of Utah
Overview
Location	Fort Collins, Colorado	Salt Lake City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.6%	95.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1080 - 1290	1180 - 1390
ACT range	23 - 29	22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	54.0%
Total number of applicants	31,586	18,302
Total number of admissions given out	28,314	17,381
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,197	5,361
Yield rate	18.4%	30.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,174 Out of state: $46,456	In state: $26,579 Out of state: $46,031
Average net price	$18,320	$12,972
Tuition	In state: $9,709 Out of state: $28,991	In state: $7,749 Out of state: $27,201
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,186 Meal plan: $6,830	Room/dormitory: $5,997 Meal plan: $4,665
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	70.0% Average amount $10,034	86.0% Average amount $9,431
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,018	19.0% Average amount $7,729
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,976	4.0% Average amount $19,449

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,954 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	25,826 Men 51.8% Women 48.2%
Graduate students	7,632 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	8,638 Men 49.9% Women 50.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	34.3%	39.6%
International students	4.8%	8.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	8,300	6,250
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington	Utah California Colorado Idaho Washington

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Business Health Professions Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.1%	67.2%
Dropout rate	18.5%	25.0%
Transferred out	10.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,915 Year 3: $106,015 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,613 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,379 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $93,827 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,747 Year 2: $80,301 Year 3: $92,215 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $89,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,253 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $88,889 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,603 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,546 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,387 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $86,814 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,629 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $83,089 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,849 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $80,723	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,022 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $126,415 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,759 Year 2: $98,213 Year 3: $112,201 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $96,943 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $111,490 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,996 Year 2: $76,998 Year 3: $93,342 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,226 Year 2: $74,307 Year 3: $88,739 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,036 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $84,431 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,451 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $81,580 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $65,753 Year 2: $60,689 Year 3: $75,773 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,225 Year 2: $65,894 Year 3: $73,917 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,458 Year 2: $54,035 Year 3: $72,228

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Utah and Colorado State University?

The University of Utah (U of U) is a large, public research university located in Salt Lake City, Utah, offering a vibrant urban environment with access to outdoor recreation. Colorado State University (CSU) is also a large, public research university, but it's situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, known for its strong focus on sustainability, natural sciences, and a more traditional college town atmosphere. U of U is generally considered to have a stronger emphasis on research and medicine, while CSU excels in areas like veterinary medicine, agriculture, and environmental science.
Which university is more affordable: University of Utah or Colorado State University?

Generally, the University of Utah tends to be slightly more affordable for in-state students compared to Colorado State University. However, out-of-state tuition at both institutions is comparable. It's crucial to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on your lifestyle and chosen location.
How do the academic programs compare between the University of Utah and Colorado State University?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The University of Utah is particularly strong in areas like computer science, engineering, medicine, and business. Colorado State University is renowned for its programs in veterinary medicine, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sciences. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision, and research the faculty and resources available in your chosen field at each university.
What is the campus environment like at the University of Utah versus Colorado State University?

The University of Utah offers an urban campus experience in Salt Lake City, providing access to a major metropolitan area with diverse cultural attractions, job opportunities, and entertainment. Colorado State University provides a more traditional college town atmosphere in Fort Collins, known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, breweries, and a strong sense of community. The U of U campus is more integrated into a large city, while CSU's campus feels more self-contained and focused on student life.
Which university is better for outdoor recreation?

Both universities offer excellent access to outdoor recreation, but the specific opportunities differ. The University of Utah is located near the Wasatch Mountains, providing easy access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and mountain biking. Colorado State University is close to the Rocky Mountains, offering similar activities, as well as opportunities for whitewater rafting, fishing, and exploring national parks. Your preference depends on the specific types of outdoor activities you enjoy most.
How do the research opportunities compare at the University of Utah and Colorado State University?

Both the University of Utah and Colorado State University are Carnegie R1 research institutions, meaning they have very high research activity. The University of Utah has a strong emphasis on medical and scientific research, particularly through its health sciences center. Colorado State University excels in research related to natural resources, environmental science, and infectious diseases. Both offer numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects.
What are the student demographics like at each university?

Both universities have a diverse student body, but there are some differences. The University of Utah tends to have a larger proportion of students from Utah and the surrounding states, while Colorado State University attracts students from across the United States and internationally. Both universities are actively working to increase diversity and inclusion on their campuses.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both the University of Utah and Colorado State University offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Job placement rates are generally strong at both institutions, particularly in fields related to their respective academic strengths. The University of Utah may offer more opportunities in the healthcare and technology sectors due to its location in Salt Lake City, while Colorado State University may provide more opportunities in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.
What is the average class size at the University of Utah and Colorado State University?

As large public universities, both the University of Utah and Colorado State University have a mix of large lecture classes and smaller, more intimate courses. Introductory courses tend to be larger, while upper-level courses are typically smaller. You can find specific information about class sizes for individual courses in the university course catalogs.
Which university has a stronger focus on sustainability?

While both universities are committed to sustainability, Colorado State University is widely recognized for its strong focus and leadership in this area. CSU has numerous sustainability initiatives, research programs, and academic programs related to environmental science and sustainability. The University of Utah also has sustainability efforts, but CSU's commitment is generally considered more prominent.

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