ColoradoState University

Overview

Founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, Colorado State University is now among the nation’s leading research universities.

Why choose ColoradoState University?
Application Timeline

Fall Semester (begins mid-August)

Freshmen typically enter CSU during the fall semester. The fall application opens in August and closes in May.

  • Early Action date – December 1
    If you complete your application using our Early Action option, you will receive full admission and scholarship consideration with notification by early January.
  • Regular Decision date – February 1
    Submitting a completed application by this date will ensure you receive full admission and scholarship consideration with notification by mid-March.
  • Final Deadline
    After February 1, completed applications are considered for admission on a rolling basis through May. If you’re applying after May 1, be sure to contact your admissions counselor.
Transfers
  • Priority Consideration date – March 1
    Applications completed by this date receive full admission and scholarship consideration by mid-April.
  • Final Deadline – June 1
    Applications completed by June 1 receive full admission and scholarship consideration by early July. If you’re applying after June 1, be sure to contact your admissions counselor; after this date, completed applications are considered on a space-available basis through June.
Spring Semester (begins mid-January)

Submit your completed Freshman or Transfer application by

November 1. Summer Session (mid-May through mid-August)

Summer term is an option granted by permission; contact your admissions counselor to discuss whether this option is right for you.

Returning Students

If you previously attended CSU as an admitted, degree-seeking student, submit the Undergraduate Returning student application by August 1 for the fall semester or January 1 for the spring semester.

English Proficiency
  • Applicants must demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) exams are preferred, although alternate measures of English proficiency may be considered.
  • Applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom whose first language is English are exempt from this requirement.
Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Program Requirements

For the most up-to-date information, visit Admissions website for SAT and GPA requirements for competitive majors. Please note that this site is used for determining placement of U.S. students in the listed majors. SAT scores are not required for international students to complete their application. However, the math score especially can be helpful in determining a student’s eligibility for a competitive major, with the exception of Art and Technical Journalism. Admission to competitive majors without SAT scores is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering students’ overall academic performance, performance in relevant subjects, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The following majors require either audition or portfolio in order to progress to the second year in the major: Apparel Design and Production, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Music. Visit the CASA website for details about entrance to these majors. Additionally, all students applying to Construction Management will be admitted to Pre-Construction Management, please see the same site for details on requirements to gain admission once at CSU. SAT scores listed do not include the Writing score. The total score consists only of Critical Reading and Math.

M=Major
m=Minor
c=concentration
i=Interdisciplinary

Major TOEFL IELTS Cond. admit for English SAT Other
Accounting (c) 79 6.5 45 ibt 5.0 IELTS – student begin at Intensive English Program see note above
ACS Certified (c) 79 6.5 Same
Actuarial Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Agricultural and Resource Economics (m) 79 6.5 Same
Agricultural Business (M) 79 6.5 Same
Agricultural Economics (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Agricultural Education (M) 79 6.5 Same
Agronomic Production Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
American Studies (c) 79 6.5 Same
Animal Science (M) 79 6.5 Same
Anthropology (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Apparel and Merchandising (M) 79 6.5 Same
Apparel Design and Production (c) 79 6.5 Same Portfolio after 1st year
Applied Computing Technology (M) 79 6.5 Same
Applied Information Technology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Applied Mathematics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Applied Physics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Art (M) 79 6.5 Same
Art Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Art History (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Arts and Humanities (c) 79 6.5 Same
Arts and Humanities and Engineering Sciences (c) 79 6.5 Same
Asian Studies (i) 79 6.5 Same
Biochemistry (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Biological Science (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Biology Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Biomedical Engineering (i) 79 6.5 Same
Biomedical Sciences (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Biotechnology (i) 79 6.5 Same
Botany (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Business Administration (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Chemical and Biological Engineering (M) 79 6.5 Same
Chemistry (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Chemistry Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Civil Engineering (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Communication Studies (c) 79 6.5 Same
Computational Mathematics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Computer Engineering (M) 79 6.5 Same
Computer Science (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Computer-Mediated Communication (c) 79 6.5 Same
Computing Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Computing Technology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Conservation Biology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Construction Management (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Creative Writing (c) 79 6.5 Same
Criminology and Criminal Justice (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Dance, Performing Arts (c) 79 6.5 Same
Diversity in Law (i) 79 6.5 Same
Drawing (c) 79 6.5 Same
Economics (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Electrical Engineering (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Engineering Open Option(freshmen only) 79 6.5 Same
Engineering Physics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Engineering Science (M) 79 6.5 Same
Engineering, Teacher Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
English (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
English Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Entomology (m) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Affairs (i) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Communication (c) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Engineering (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Geology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Health (M) 79 6.5 Same
Environmental Soil Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Equine Science (M) 79 6.5 Same
Ethnic Studies (M) 79 6.5 Same
Family and Consumer Sciences (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Family and Consumer Sciences Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Farm and Ranch Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Fashion Design(Apparel Design) 79 6.5 Same
Fibers (c) 79 6.5 Same
Finance (c) 79 6.5 Same
Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (M) 79 6.5 Same
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (c) 79 6.5 Same
Floriculture (c) 79 6.5 Same
Food Science and Safety (i) 79 6.5 Same
Forest Biology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Forest Fire Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Forest Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Forestry (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Forestry-Business (c) 79 6.5 Same
French (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Geology (M,m,c) 79 6.5 Same
Geology Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
German (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Gerontology (i) 79 6.5 Same
Global Tourism (c) 79 6.5 Same
Graphic Design (c) 79 6.5 Same
Health and Exercise Science (M) 79 6.5 Same
Health Promotion (c) 79 6.5 Same
History (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Horticultural Business Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Horticultural Food Crops (c) 79 6.5 Same
Horticultural Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Horticulture (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Horticulture Therapy (c) 79 6.5 Same
Human Development and Family Studies (M) 79 6.5 Same
Information Science and Technology (i) 79 6.5 Same
Information Systems (c) 79 6.5 Same
Integrated Resource Management (i) 79 6.5 Same
Interior Design (M) 79 6.5 Same Portfolio after 1st year
International Development (i) 79 6.5 Same
International Engineering & Intl Studies (c) 79 6.5 Same
International Soil and Crop Sciences (c) 79 6.5 Same
International Studies (c) 79 6.5 Same
Japanese (M) 79 6.5 Same
Journalism, Technical (M) 79 6.5 Same
Landscape Architecture (M) 79 6.5 Same Portfolio after 1st year
Landscape Design and Contracting (c) 79 6.5 Same
Landscape Horticulture (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Language (c) 79 6.5 Same
Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (M) 79 6.5 Same
Lasers and Optical Engineering (c) 79 6.5 Same
Latin American and Caribbean Studies (i) 79 6.5 Same
Liberal Arts (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Literature (c) 79 6.5 Same
Marketing (c) 79 6.5 Same
Mathematics (M,m,c) 79 6.5 Same
Mathematics Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Mathematics of Information (c) 79 6.5 Same
Mechanical Engineering (M) 79 6.5 Same
Media Studies (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Merchandising (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Metalsmithing (c) 79 6.5 Same
Microbiology (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Molecular Biology (i) 79 6.5 Same
Music (M,m) 79 6.5 Same Audition
Music Composition (c) 79 6.5 Same
Music Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Music Therapy (c) 79 6.5 Same
Natural Resource Economics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism (M) 79 6.5 Same
Natural Resource Tourism (c) 79 6.5 Same
Natural Resources Management (M) 79 6.5 Same
Natural Sciences (M) 79 6.5 Same
News-Editorial (c) 79 6.5 Same
Non-ACS Certified (c) 79 6.5 Same
Nursery and Landscape Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Nutrition (M) 79 6.5 Same
Nutrition and Food Science (M) 79 6.5 Same
Organic Agriculture (i) 79 6.5 Same
Organization and Innovation Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Painting (c) 79 6.5 Same
Parks and Protected Area Mngmnt (c) 79 6.5 Same
Peace and Reconciliation Studies (i) 79 6.5 Same
Performance, Music (c) 79 6.5 Same
Performing Arts (M) 79 6.5 Same
Philosophy M,m,c) 79 6.5 Same
Philosophy and Religion (c) 79 6.5 Same
Philosophy, Science and Technology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Photo Image Making (c) 79 6.5 Same
Physical Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Physics (M,m,c) 79 6.5 Same
Physics Education (c) 79 6.5 Same
Plant Biotechnology, Genetcs and Breeding (c) 79 6.5 Same
Plant Health (M) 79 6.5 Same
Political Science (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Pottery (c) 79 6.5 Same
Printmaking (c) 79 6.5 Same
Psychology (M) 79 6.5 Same
Public Relations (c) 79 6.5 Same
Range and Forest Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Range Ecology (M) 79 6.5 Same
Rangeland Ecology (M) 79 6.5 Same
Rangeland Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
Rangeland Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Real Estate (c) 79 6.5 Same
Religious Studies (m,i) 79 6.5 Same
Restaurant and Resort Management (M) 79 6.5 Same
Restoration Ecology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Rhetorical Studies (c) 79 6.5 Same
Russian (M) 79 6.5 Same
Sculpture (c) 79 6.5 Same
Social Sciences (c) 79 6.5 Same
Social Sciences and Engineering Science (c) 79 6.5 Same
Social Studies Teaching (c) 79 6.5 Same
Social Work (M) 79 6.5 Same
Sociology (M,m,c) 79 6.5 Same
Soil and Crop Sciences (M) 79 6.5 Same
Soil and Water Resource Engineering (c) 79 6.5 Same
Soil Resources and Conservation (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Space Engineering (c) 79 6.5 Same
Spanish (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Spatial Information Management (M) 79 6.5 Same
Specialized and Technical Communication (c) 79 6.5 Same
Speech Communication (M) 79 6.5 Same
Speech Communication, Teacher Licensure (c) 79 6.5 Same
Sports Medicine (c) 79 6.5 Same
Statistics (c) 79 6.5 Same
Studio (M,c) 79 6.5 Same
Teacher Licensure  79 6.5 Same
Theatre, Acting/Directing (M) 79 6.5 Same
Theatre, Design/Technical (M) 79 6.5 Same
Theatre, Performing Arts (c) 79 6.5 Same
Turf Management (c) 79 6.5 Same
TV News and Video Communication (c) 79 6.5 Same
Undeclared 79 6.5 Same
Viticulture and Enology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Water Resources (i) 79 6.5 Same
Watershed Science (M,m) 79 6.5 Same
Wildlife Biology (c) 79 6.5 Same
Women’s Studies (i) 79 6.5 Same
Writing (c) 79 6.5 Same
Zoology (M,m) 79 6.5 Same

Graduate Program Requirements

Graduate programs of study

 

Major TOEFL IELTS GRE GMAT
Agricultural and Resource Economics,MS and PhD 80  6.5 Not Required
Animal Sciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Anthropology, MA 80  6.5 Required
Art, MFA 80  6.5 Not Required
Atmospheric Sciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Biology, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Biomedical Sciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Business, MACC, MBA, MMP, MS 86  6.5 550
Chemical and Biological Engineering, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Chemistry, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Clinical Sciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Not Required
Communication Studies, MA 80  6.5 Required
Computer Science, MS, MCS and PhD 92  6.5 Required
Construction Management, MS 80  6.5 Required
Design and Merchandising, MS 80  6.5 Is Req if <3.5 GPA and <5 years of professional exp
Ecology, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Economics, MA and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Electrical and Computer Engineering, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Engineering, ME 80  6.5 Required
English, MA, MFA 80  6.5 General test required for Literature only
Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Ethnic Studies, MA 80  6.5 Not Required
Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, MS, MFWCB, and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Food Science and Human Nutrition, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Foreign Languages and Literatures, MA 80  6.5 Not Required
Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Geosciences, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Health and Exercise Science, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
History, MA 80  6.5 Required
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, MS, MLA, and PhD 80  6.5 Required for the MS and PhD. Not required for the MLA
Human Development and Family Studies, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Journalism and Technical Communication, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Mathematics, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Mechanical Engineering, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Neurosciences Program 80  6.5 Verbal, quantitative, and written tests are required. Subject test is recommended but not required
Music, MM 80  6.5 Not Required Audition
Occupational Therapy, MS 80  6.5 Analytical writing section required
Philosophy, MA 80  6.5 Required
Physics, MS and PhD 100  6.5 General and subject tests are required
Political Science, MA and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Psychology, MS, MAIOP, and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Public Health, MPH 80  6.5 Required
School or Biomedical Engineering, MS, ME, and PhD 80  6.5 Required
School of Education, MEd, MS, and PhD 80  6.5 Not Required
School of Social Work, MSW 80  6.5 Not Required
Sociology, MA and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Soil and Crop Science, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required
Statistics, MS and PhD 80  6.5 Required if requesting financial support

Strong candidates for freshman admission

  • Equivalent 3.25 GPA on the U.S. 4.0 scale with demonstrated academic rigor and positive trends in grades. Please refer to Country Educational Equivalency Guide for specific information on international admission standards.
  • Completed courses in language/communications, mathematics, social science, natural science, and liberal and fine arts.
  • Freshman applicants from vocational/technical secondary schools not meeting course work requirements may not be strong candidates for admission.

Strong candidates for transfer admission

  • Equivalent 2.75 GPA on the U.S. 4.0 scale through completion of the equivalent of one year or 30 credits of academic course work in a range of subjects including communications, mathematics, social science, natural science, and liberal and fine arts.
  • Course work for academic rigor and trends in academic performance.
  • Applicants who have attended a post-secondary institution in the United States also must satisfy the admission requirement in mathematics.
  • Transfer applicants from vocational/technical colleges not meeting course work requirements may not be strong candidates for admission.

Applicants may be considered with a cumulative GPA below the published levels if they demonstrate consistent success in a rigorous curriculum and have special talents and/or a history of overcoming obstacles.

LEADING RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

Our world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, environmental science, and biomedical technology attracted more than $300 million in research funding annually. Our professional programs in veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, journalism, agriculture and construction management are ranked among the nation’s best.

Colorado State is the “university of choice” for Colorado residents; 30% of all of Colorado’s science, math, engineering and technology majors pursue degrees at CSU.

To date, more than 230,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees have been conferred at Colorado State, including more than 6,000 in 2011-2012. Our 184,586 living alumni are active in 27 geographic alumni groups representing 17 states (4 in Colorado and 23 out of state) and 16 common interest groups.

OUR FACULTY

In addition to tackling critical local and global issues, CSU faculty provide an enriching and rewarding student learning experience. The approach — based on the land-grant philosophy — combines intellectual classroom pursuits with hands-on experience in the field and laboratory.

Colorado State’s Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement office hosts some of the strongest community-service programs in the country, with more than 6,000 students participating in university public outreach. CSU faculty played a significant role in the founding of the Peace Corps, and CSU remains one of the primary sources of Peace Corps volunteers today.

Colorado State’s rankings include its recognition as a top tier university in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of “America’s Best Colleges and Universities,” as well as Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine’s ranking as one of the top public universities in the United States for educational quality and affordability.

OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT

Created to Serve: Colorado State University’s Impact on the State’s Economy (PDF), was published in January 2009. The report describes the substantial economic contributions Colorado State University makes to the state economy. CSU is one of the state’s most important economic growth engines and a cornerstone of Colorado’s economic future. [ download the full report ]

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, Fort Collins

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, Fort Collins was ranked sixth “Best Place to Live” in America in 2010 by Money Magazine.

OUR LOCATION

Colorado State University, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is situated on nearly 5,000 acres of land, including the main campus, a foothills campus, an agricultural campus, and a mountain campus (Pingree Park). Colorado State also has 4,600 acres for research centers, Cooperative Extension offices, and Colorado State Forest Service stations.

Fort Collins is an award-winning city located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with the foothills and 14,000-foot peaks visible to residents. Easy access to hiking, skiing, rafting and other outdoor sports is a great advantage to CSU students, faculty and staff.

Located north of the Denver metro area, CSU is about an hours drive to Denver International Airport.

FACTS AND FIGURES
Location: In northern Colorado at the western edge of the Great Plains and at the base of the Rocky Mountains
Population: Fort Collins is a midsize city of approximately 150,000.
Award-winning: Fort Collins was ranked the fourth-healthiest midsize city in America in a 2013 Gallup survey.
Enrollment: About 22,425 undergraduate students, 3,800 graduate students and 550 Professional Veterinary Medicine students
Faculty: About 1,600 faculty members

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