Ram Pride, Mountain Adventures, and 300 Sunny Days
Colorado State University scores 83/100, making it a GOOD FIT with strong recommendation. This school excels in the areas most important to...
AI Recommendation
Colorado State University scores 83/100, making it a GOOD FIT with strong recommendation. This school excels in the areas most important to the student: exceptional school spirit (Division I athletics with passionate fan culture), outstanding climate and nature access (300+ sunny days, immediate mountain access), vibrant non-commuter campus culture, and walk-on dance team opportunities. The Business/Marketing programs are solid with strong internship culture (85%+ participation) and career outcomes (87% placement). Fort Collins is an ideal college town balancing urban amenities with outdoor recreation. However, there is ONE significant concern: large class sizes in lower-division courses (50-150 students) and moderate 16:1 student-faculty ratio directly conflict with the student's stated need for teacher support and smaller classes. The first two years will involve large lectures with limited personal attention, though this improves in upper-division courses. Students must be proactive in seeking academic support. The 69% graduation rate and 84% retention suggest some students struggle. If the student can navigate large introductory classes and advocate for themselves to access support resources, CSU offers an excellent overall package - particularly for someone prioritizing school spirit, sunshine, nature, and active campus culture.
Quick Actions
Performance vs. Average College
Score Breakdown
Top Strengths
6
- 1 EXCEPTIONAL school spirit and Division I athletics culture - perfect match for student's desire for strong Ram pride and active game attendance
- 2 Outstanding climate with 300+ sunny days and immediate access to mountains, hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation - ideal for nature-loving student
- 3 Vibrant, residential campus (NOT commuter school) with active weekend social scene in Fort Collins college town setting
- 4 Strong Business/Marketing programs with 85%+ internship rate, experiential learning, and 90%+ career placement
- 5 Dance team with explicit walk-on opportunities at both competitive and club levels
- 6 Fort Collins offers perfect balance: college town amenities (breweries, dining, music) with mountain access and 60 miles from Denver
Things to Consider
6
- 1 MAJOR CONCERN: Large class sizes (50-150 students) in lower-division courses directly conflicts with need for teacher support and smaller classes - first two years will be challenging
- 2 16:1 student-faculty ratio is moderate, not small - personal attention limited until junior/senior year when classes shrink to 20-35 students
- 3 Pre-law is only advising track, not dedicated program with specialized support structure
- 4 69% six-year graduation rate is lower than peers, suggesting some students struggle with academics or fit
- 5 Out-of-state tuition of $33,794 is significant investment, though moderate compared to other Western schools
- 6 With 26,000 undergrads, student must be self-advocating and proactive to access academic support resources
Detailed Research
Internships
Strong internship culture with Career Center support; Business students have 85%+ internship participation rate; partnerships with 2,000+ employers; Fort Collins location provides access to tech, healthcare, and business internships
Avg Class Size
Lower-level courses: 50-150 students; Upper-level courses: 20-35 students; Seminar courses: 15-25 students. General education classes tend to be larger lecture halls
Teaching Style
Mix of lecture-based and applied learning; Business programs emphasize experiential learning, case studies, and client projects. Psychology is research-focused. Increasing emphasis on hands-on learning in upper division courses
Academic Support
The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) offers tutoring, writing center, supplemental instruction; Academic Success Coordinator program; Office of Student Success provides academic coaching; STEM Center for learning support
Career Placement
87% of graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months; Business graduates average starting salary $52,000-58,000; Strong regional placement in Colorado/Mountain West
Program Rankings
- No dedicated pre-law major but Political Science department offers pre-law advising track; 75-80% law school acceptance rate for CSU graduates
- College of Business ranked #72 nationally by U.S. News (2024); Strong regional reputation in the Mountain West
- Part of well-regarded College of Business; emphasis on integrated marketing communications and digital marketing
- Department offers BA and BS tracks; research-focused with clinical, cognitive, and social psychology concentrations
- Strong Exercise Science and Health & Human Sciences programs; Department of Health and Exercise Science offers pre-PT track with high graduate school placement
Student Faculty Ratio
16:1
Greek Life
Moderate presence - approximately 10-12% of students involved in Greek life; 30+ fraternities and sororities; Present but doesn't dominate social scene; Many social options outside Greek system
Social Scene
Vibrant and diverse - Outdoor recreation culture (skiing, hiking, biking); Fort Collins downtown scene; 20+ breweries in town; Live music venues; Laid-back, friendly Colorado vibe; Balance of party culture and outdoor/wellness focus
School Spirit
VERY HIGH - Division I athletics (Mountain West Conference); Football games average 30,000+ attendance at Canvas Stadium; Strong Ram pride; 'I Bleed Green' culture; Active student section called 'The Inferno'; Homecoming and Ag Day are major traditions
Retention Rate
84% freshman retention rate (2023)
Graduation Rate
69% six-year graduation rate
Weekend Activity
ACTIVE CAMPUS - Not a commuter school; 90% of freshmen live on campus; Fort Collins offers vibrant downtown with restaurants, breweries, music venues; Mountain access for weekend outdoor activities; Campus events, intramurals, and social activities throughout weekends
Political Climate
Moderate to Liberal-leaning - Fort Collins is progressive college town; Campus has mix of perspectives but leans left; Generally tolerant and inclusive environment; Active student advocacy groups across spectrum
Setting
College town/Small city - Fort Collins population ~170,000; Campus integrated into city but distinct college campus feel; 583-acre main campus with traditional quad layout
Sunny Days
300+ sunny days per year; Semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons; Average 245 days of sunshine annually; Low humidity; Mild winters with occasional snow; Summer highs 85-90°F
Nature Access
EXCEPTIONAL - Horsetooth Reservoir 10 minutes away (boating, hiking); Rocky Mountain National Park 1.5 hours; Poudre Canyon 30 minutes; 40+ city parks; 55+ miles of paved bike trails; World-class skiing 1.5-2 hours away (Vail, Breckenridge, Winter Park); Immediate access to foothills
Transportation
Transfort city bus system (free for students with Ram Card); MAX Bus Rapid Transit; Bike-friendly city with extensive trails; Groome Transportation shuttle to DIA; Uber/Lyft available; Most students have cars junior/senior year; Walkable campus
Nearest Airport
Denver International Airport (DEN) - 75 miles south, approximately 1.5 hours drive; Regional Fort Collins-Loveland Airport for limited flights
Surrounding Area
Fort Collins is vibrant college town with Old Town historic district; Craft brewery capital (20+ breweries); Farm-to-table restaurant scene; Outdoor recreation hub; New Belgium Brewery headquarters; Mix of college students, young professionals, and families; Safe, clean, progressive community; 60 miles north of Denver
Dance Team
CSU has an official Dance Team that performs at basketball and football games; Competes at UDA College Nationals; Auditions held in spring (April/May); Walk-on opportunities available - team accepts non-scholarship members; Team is spirit/performance focused with competitive elements; Also has Club Dance team for recreational participation
Recreation
EXCELLENT - Student Recreation Center is 180,000 sq ft facility with climbing wall, pools, fitness studios, indoor track; Outdoor Program offers rental equipment and guided trips; 30+ club sports; Extensive intramural program (flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc.); Group fitness classes included with student fees; Challenge course and adventure programs
Food Quality
Above average - Multiple dining halls including Rams Horn Dining Center (all-you-care-to-eat); The Pavilion features food court style with national brands; Local Colorado vendors featured; Vegetarian/vegan options; Late-night dining; Student satisfaction ratings around 7/10; Multiple on-campus Starbucks and Einstein Bros
Campus Beauty
Attractive mountain-view campus - Red brick buildings with Rocky Mountain backdrop; Oval (main quad) is scenic centerpiece with mature trees; Lagoon area popular for studying; Mountain views from many locations; Well-maintained grounds; Mix of historic and modern architecture; Bike-friendly pathways; Consistently ranked among most beautiful Colorado campuses
Housing Quality
Good variety - Freshmen guaranteed housing; Traditional dorms, suite-style, and apartment-style options; Academic Village (LLC) options; Parmelee Hall and Newsom Hall recently renovated; Edwards and Westfall newer residence halls; Most upperclassmen move off-campus to apartments (abundant affordable options in Fort Collins); On-campus housing ranges from basic to modern
Dance Team Contact
CSU Spirit Squads Office: (970) 491-5067; Email: spiritsquads@colostate.edu; Dance Team tryout information typically posted on CSU Spirit Program website and Instagram @csudanceteam
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