College Compare

Colorado State

Fort Collins, CO · ~26,000 · Division I (Mountain West)

Best urban-outdoor combo of the three: Old Town breweries + Rocky Mountain NP + Platinum-bike town; brightest year-round.

Out-of-state tuition surcharge: ~$22k/yr

Climate

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Fort Collins — Climate — Fort Collins — Climate

237 sunny days; bright dry winters; UV strong from elevation.
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From the web — at source

Fort Collins from the top of Horsetooth Mountain — the front-range vantage that defines the place. — Fort Collins from the top of Horsetooth Mountain — the front-range vantage that defines the place. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Panoramic view east across Horsetooth Reservoir toward Fort Collins. — Panoramic view east across Horsetooth Reservoir toward Fort Collins. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Cameron Peak fire smoke over Horsetooth (October 2020) — Front Range fires are real but fast-moving. — Cameron Peak fire smoke over Horsetooth (October 2020) — Front Range fires are real but fast-moving. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Activities & Culture

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Fort Collins — Activities & Culture — Fort Collins — Activities & Culture

Hiking the A, Horsetooth, Poudre, Rocky Mtn NP 50 mi, Old Town breweries, Platinum bike.
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Fort Collins — Old Town Detail — Fort Collins — Old Town Detail detail

New Belgium, Odell, Funkwerks; Aggie Theatre; Tour de Fat; among densest brewing cities/capita in US.
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From the web — at source

Downtown 'Old Town' Fort Collins. — Downtown 'Old Town' Fort Collins. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Canvas Stadium panorama — opened 2017, ~36k capacity. — Canvas Stadium panorama — opened 2017, ~36k capacity. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Horsetooth Reservoir — 3 mi west of campus. — Horsetooth Reservoir — 3 mi west of campus. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Predominant Academic Programs

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CSU — Predominant Academic Programs — CSU — Predominant Academic Programs

Vet Med #3 nat'l (20+ yrs at #2–#3) · #1 vet research · CIRA-NOAA $308M · Atmos Sci (founded 1961) · Equine ~400 students · Carnegie R1 ($498M).
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Transfer Paths

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DPP Savings

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Housing — Off-Campus

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Fort Collins — Off-Campus Housing — Fort Collins — Off-Campus Housing

1BR $1,631; Old Town premium; Prospect at Spring Meadows cheapest at $1,050.
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From the web — at source

Fort Collins historic district — well-preserved Old Town walkability. — Fort Collins historic district — well-preserved Old Town walkability. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Housing — On-Campus

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CSU — On-Campus Housing — CSU — On-Campus Housing

6,600+ capacity. First-year live-on (under 21, not w/ parents) for first 2 terms.
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CSU — Halls & Rates (2026–27) — CSU — Halls & Rates (2026–27) detail

Comm Double $3,900–$4,315/sem; Suite Single up to $6,840/sem. Pending Board approval.
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From the web — at source

The Oval today, leading toward the Administration Building — heart of CSU campus. — The Oval today, leading toward the Administration Building — heart of CSU campus. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Spruce Hall — CSU's oldest existing building. — Spruce Hall — CSU's oldest existing building. (Wikimedia Commons ↗)

Food — On-Campus

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CSU — On-Campus Food — CSU — On-Campus Food

Any 21/17/14: $3,845–$4,745/sem + $200 RamCash. Annual ~$8k–$10k.
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Food — Off-Campus

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Fort Collins — Off-Campus Food — Fort Collins — Off-Campus Food

~$402/mo individual food spend. King Soopers + Whole Foods + Old Town restaurants.
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Employment & Work-Study

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CSU — Employment & Work-Study — CSU — Employment & Work-Study

CO min wage $14.81/hr. Auto-enrolled in Handshake. FWS award $3,500–$4,500/yr. HP, Otterbox HQ, Old Town brewery scene.
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Travel from Aptos

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Fort Collins — Travel from Aptos — Fort Collins — Travel from Aptos

1,250 mi. Fly SJC↔DEN ~4–5 hr door-to-door, $150–$400 RT.
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CSU — Denver Airport + Shuttle Detail — CSU — Denver Airport + Shuttle Detail detail

Green Ride ~$40 hourly, Bustang ~$15, rental car ~$80/day. FNL airport limited.
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Source

KB page: Colorado State University Fort Collins — Off-Campus Living in the LogSeq graph. Citation links from each cluster's sidecar markdown live alongside the infographic files in /college-infographics/.