Colorado State University is on the rise – both academically and athletically.
Colorado State University is well-established as one of the nation’s top public research universities. The key to this success is a mix of quality and ambition to be excellent in all we do, combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country.
CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students is 28% diverse and 25% are the first in their families to attend college. Our commitment to excellence has driven more than $1.6 billion in infrastructure improvements on our campus in the past 15 years.
The core of any great university is academic success. Colorado State University is a Tier 1 Research Institute with $456.9 million in research expenditures last year, growing 46% since 2013 and placing us with the best public research universities nationally and at the very top among universities without a medical school. Our faculty is, by all objective measures, highly productive and among the most competitive anywhere. CSU graduates find success with 86% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than 9 out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.
Colorado State University in 2023 once again demonstrated it is among the most sustainable higher education institutions in the world by earning its fourth consecutive platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, or STARS. We are the only institution in the world to be 4-time Platinum rated. And we were one of the first institutions in the country to be designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the APLU.
33,455
student population in 2022
$456.9M
total research expenditures in FY2022
$1.6B
in campus infrastructure improvements in since 2008
252,000
living alumni, with 142,000 in Colorado
LEADERSHIP
The leadership at Colorado State University has deep experience, an aligned commitment to success, and an entrepreneurial approach to strategic decision making in the pursuit of excellence in all areas of the University.
The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System includes nine voting members who are appointed by the Governor of Colorado. As an appointed board, members are aligned, decision-oriented and actively promoting the success of CSU as a leading national public research institution. The CSU System includes three distinct institutions: CSU Pueblo, CSU Global, and the flagship Colorado State University with its main campus in Fort Collins and a presence in every county of Colorado as the state’s Land Grant university.
Amy Parsons is the 16th President of Colorado State University. Prior to being named President and assuming the role in February 2023, Amy served in various senior executive leadership roles at CSU and the CSU System and combines her higher education experience with a private sector background. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from CSU and a juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
For the 2022-23 academic year, we saw record enrollment in CSU’s incoming class while continuing to strengthen our commitment to diversity and to first generation students. In recent years, CSU’s diversity and graduation rates have risen consistently. In 2020-21, 24% of graduating students were minoritized – up from 12% in 2011-12. Our land-grant heritage and commitment to access are still defining characteristics of our university.
More than 5,000 Colorado State students take part in undergraduate research opportunities every year – and the number of students involved in education abroad has increased 70% in the past five years. Our first-year retention rate is 85%. The quality of our faculty and learning environments are at the core of this success, and we’ve invested in these areas despite restricted budgets – bucking the national trend and charging forward in the face of real challenges.
Demonstrated Success
CSU has worldwide appeal with students from over 100 countries and research projects in over 85 countries.
Our curriculum has retained its focus but has never been broader to give our students what they need to succeed in a global marketplace.
Total faculty numbers have grown 11% in 10 years to keep pace with record enrollment. We’ve also had a 16% increase in women tenure-track faculty and a 31% increase in minority tenure-track faculty during this period.
We’ve directed our resources to our students by doubling institutionally funded financial aid during the past 10 years, peaking before a pandemic dip, and now rebounding strongly. Every year, more than 4,700 CSU students earn our landmark Colorado Tuition Assistance Grant. In all, the need-based program has disbursed $180 million to about 21,000 Colorado students, half of them first-generation. Overall, 60% of CSU students receive some kind of grant and scholarship aid.
187
total majors (highest in the Mountain West)
5,000+
students participate in undergraduate
research opportunities every year
3.7
average GPA for incoming 2022-23 class
98%
increase in institutionally funded
financial aid during the past 10 years.
CSU RANKS AMONG THE BEST
Colorado State is routinely highlighted in national rankings recognizing top universities and programs.
Tied as top-ranked university in Mountain West
Colorado State University ties San Diego State University in U.S. News and World Report rankings, atop the Mountain West Conference. CSU is No. 67 among public universities.
Top 1% of universities worldwide
The Center for World University Rankings has continuously placed CSU in the top 1% of universities worldwide. CSU ranked No. 258 out of more than 19,500 universities globally in the 2022-23 rankings, the largest academic ranking of global universities.
1 of 387 Best Colleges
CSU has been perennially highlighted in Princeton Review’s “The Best 387 Colleges,” including in 2022. Of nearly 150,000 students who responded in 2019, CSU students said Colorado State University is “an institution that is determined to engage and challenge its students, preparing them for post-graduate life beyond the university.”
Top public university
CSU was again featured among Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges in 2022. CSU ranked among the Top 100 public universities in the country for the fifth year in a row. CSU was listed among the nation’s top public universities for academics, affordability, and admissions, and among the top 10% college athletic programs in America according to Niche, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
In 2023, CSU demonstrated it is among the most sustainable higher education institutions in the world by earning its four consecutive platinum ranking in STARS. In 2015, Colorado State became the first university in the world to earn a Platinum STARS rating for sustainability performance, and we haven’t rested since.
CSU was ranked first for public engagement for the fourth year in a row in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index, a publication of AASHE. Since the beginning of its rankings, AASHE has listed CSU as its top performer for best doctoral university in overall sustainability impact, including curriculum, research, and public engagement according to its STARS rating system.
CSU was one of 27 universities in the nation to earn a perfect score in sustainability, according to Princeton Review. Colorado State consistently ranks in the top 10 in the nation among environmentally responsible colleges. CSU has been on the Green Honor Roll for four consecutive years.
Top 8% in nation for faculty
CSU is in the top 8% of all colleges and universities for best professors based on accomplishments, diversity and pay, based on key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and student reviews according to Niche, 2022.
PEACE CORPS
CSU ranks among the Peace Corps’ annual list of Top Volunteering-Producing College and Universities. The list places CSU at No. 15 among large American college and universities. Colorado State has sent over 1,750 volunteers since 1961, which is 11th among all-time sending institutions in the nation. The number of CSU alumni serving in the Peace Corps has averaged around 50 for the last five years.
ENGAGEMENT
Colorado State University has strong and engaged alumni, friends and fans. CSU has more than 250,000 alumni and is one of four institutions in the Mountain West Conference with an endowment of a half-billion dollars or more.
20%
of alumni gave to CSU in 2022
$165M
average annual giving from nearly 35,000 donors
NEARLY 9,000
donors made a gift to CSU for the first time
26%
of donors in 2022 were first-time donors to CSU
YOU CAN GET TO CSU
Colorado State University is in the heart of Fort Collins in Northern Colorado, an hour north of Denver along Colorado’s picturesque Front Range. With quick access to major highways, Denver International Airport (DIA), and ample lodging and entertainment venues, visiting CSU and Fort Collins is easy and enjoyable.
Airport service to Denver or Fort Collins
Denver International Airport
DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation market. With more than 20 airlines, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the 3rd busiest airport in the world, topped only by Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW).
Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport
1 Hour
drive time from DIA to Fort Collins
#3 Globally
DIA had more than 69 million passengers travel through the airport in 2022, making it the third busiest airport in the world.
ATHLETICS
Colorado State University is well-established as one of the nation’s top public research universities, propelled by a steadfast commitment to excellence in all we do combined with an unparalleled location in one of the most vibrant regions in the country. Ram Athletics is part of this drive – on the move, on the rise, and headed to even greater success in the years ahead.
COMPETITIVE COMMITMENT
We have committed to playing by the same rules instituted by the Power 5 conferences – providing all allowable amenities and benefits for student-athletes, including paying the full cost of attendance.
Our University commitment to Athletics has increased 141% since 2010, from $25.35 million to $61.26 million in 2022. Total University commitment to Rams football has increased 278% since 2010, from $8.17 million to $30.92 million in 2022.
- We are one of fewer than 20 Division I schools without a major NCAA infraction in our history.
- We’re tied with San Diego State University for the highest federal graduation rate in the Mountain West Conference.
- We’ve opened a state-of-the-art refueling station to provide additional nutrition to student-athletes.
- We’ve built an in-house Athletics video production unit to enhance recruiting, gameday experiences, and live game-streaming capabilities.
- We’ve added women’s soccer as a varsity program which enters its 10th season in 2023 with an eye to add additional women’s sports programs in the future.
- Colorado State is the anchor sports property on ESPN Radio, including live coverage for all football and men’s basketball games and select women’s games.
- Under Armour is the Rams’ official apparel provider.
GREEN AND GOLD GUARD
CSU’s NIL collective, The Green and Gold Guard serves to help ensure our student-athletes make the most of their time in Fort Collins. From assisting them in pursuing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities to hosting experiential events with donors, to ensuring they are prepared for life after sport, to driving deep and meaningful community engagement projects, we’re dedicated to setting the gold standard of NIL collectives with a focus on the full development of our young men and women during their time at CSU.
COMPETITIVE FACILITIES
With the addition of Canvas Stadium, located on campus, CSU has in process, or has already built, more than a quarter of a billion dollars in athletic facilities upgrades in the past decade.
Moby Arena has been expanded and renovated, most recently with locker room upgrades ($7 million for men’s and women’s basketball). The entire Moby Complex is heated and cooled by one of the largest geothermal energy exchange projects west of the Mississippi. The $20 million GeoX project was installed in 2021. The $7 million, 16,000-square-foot Anderson Academic Training Center opened in 2009 and is a centerpiece of CSU’s commitment to student-athletes, with a state-of-the-art weight room, strength and conditioning offices, a computer lab, study areas, and a nutrition center.
CSU’s $13-million, LEED-Gold certified, 66,267-square-foot indoor Practice Facility is designed for use by multiple sports.
BASKETBALL
Men’s basketball has emerged as a consistent 20-win team and postseason participant under head coach Niko Medved including an NCAA Tournament appearance as the No. 6 seed in 2021-22 and a top 25 ranking.
Women’s basketball is led by McKenna Hofschild, finalist for the 2023 Nancy Lieberman Award as one of the top point guards in the nation, AP All-American honorable mention, and Mountain west player of the year. Colorado State women’s basketball has seen great success under head coach Ryun Williams, who entered his 11th season with the Rams and his 24th overall as a collegiate head coach in 2022-23.
WINNING PROGRAMS
- We have produced 21 NFL draft picks since 2000.
- Women’s Volleyball has won the regular season Mountain West Conference Championship six of the last nine years: 2014-16 and 2017-22.
- Women’s Indoor Track and Field has won the Mountain West Conference Championship five of the last nine years: 2015-17, 2018-19, and 2021-23.
- Women’s Outdoor Track and Field has won the Mountain West Conference Championship three of the last seven years: 2014-16 and 2018-19.
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
- 201 Rams earned Mountain West Academic All-Conference recognition for achieving a grade-point average of 3.0 or better while competing in at least 50% of their teams’ varsity contests during the year.
- 161 Rams earned Mountain West Scholar-Athlete awards for achieving a grade-point average of 3.5 or better while utilizing a season of competition (competing in at least one contest), 12 of which earned a 4.0 GPA.