Colorado State University

Nestled in the vibrant city of Fort Collins in the temperate mountain state of Colorado, Colorado State University (CSU) is ranked in the top 35 percent of universities in the USA (US News & World Report 2024) and is considered one of the leading research universities in the country. As a public university, students at CSU benefit from cheaper tuition fees than many private US universities.

With research projects in over 85 countries and a diverse student body including more than 2,500 international students, CSU has the atmosphere and influence of a large institution. It is a relatively small university, with only 33,500 students, meaning students benefit from a more intimate and personalized learning environment.

With numerous accolades for student satisfaction, quality of life and teaching excellence, CSU strives to put students first and not just in terms of academics. With state-of-the-art sporting facilities and athletics programs, the university is a great choice for student athletes.

CSU is a great option for environmentally minded students and has gained national renown as a sustainable college. From its outstanding environmental policies and public outreach to its extensive bicycle network and even its innovative bee-cams, CSU is constantly pioneering and cheerleading sustainability within academia.

CSU's three main campuses are situated in northern Colorado, with an additional campus in Denver which specializes in public outreach and engagement. The university also boasts an international campus in Todos Santos, Mexico.

Students at Colorado State University enjoy a lively campus lifestyle with over 500 student clubs, organizations and recreational activities to choose from. Off-campus, students can explore the Rocky Mountains or venture into the vibrant hub of Fort Collins, Colorado's fourth-largest city, packed with food, entertainment and culture.

Fort Collins is a relatively safe city to live in within the USA. Regardless, Colorado State University takes the welfare of its students seriously and has a number of systems in place to ensure their safety, including a number of emergency call boxes and defibrillators positioned around the campus.

Safety alerts

CSU has a dedicated safety site to ensure easy access to current and past safety alerts. Students may also access this site to receive general safety advice and information.

Students and faculty members may also enroll for emergency text alerts, providing real-time updates regarding any emergency that might occur on a Fort Collins campus. These texts may also be used to provide information about unexpected school closures.

Personal safety

CSU has its own police department dedicated to student safety, offering services such as Safewalk to ensure students get home safely at night.

Students also benefit from CSU's Office of Support and Safety Assessment, where they may seek advice, support and guidance on any safety concerns regarding themselves or another individual in the CSU community.

Colorado State University provides students with a fantastic foothold into the career of their choice, with 85 percent of graduates securing work within six months of graduation.

Based on a three-year average, typical annual starting salaries for international students after graduation are in the region of:

• Undergraduate students: USD 55,000
• Graduate students: USD 79,000

OPT

International students are eligible to work in the USA for up to 12 months after graduation (increasing to 36 months for those holding an approved STEM degree) through Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). CSU students have high success rates in securing OPT, with over 600 companies having hired CSU graduates in this capacity.

Careers guidance

CSU's dedicated career center provides detailed support to students in matters including:

• Career exploration
• Resumes and cover letter assistance
• Networking opportunities
• Job and internship opportunities
• Interview practice
• Career workshops and preparation
• Grad school preparation
• On-campus employment

Undergraduate

Entry requirements for undergraduates at CPU vary between courses, but generally speaking, students require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), BBB at A-Level, or an International Baccalaureate score of 32 points, or equivalent.

Postgraduate

Admission to CSU's Graduate School typically requires a student to have completed their bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a second-class honors, or equivalent.

English Language

CSU students for whom English is not their native language must provide proof of:

• At undergraduate level: a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0, TOEFL internet-based test score of 72 points or a Duolingo score of 110
• At graduate level: a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL internet-based test score of 80 points or a PTE score of 58 points

CSU's Office of International Programs offers a high-quality intensive English program, designed to swiftly advance the language skills of students who want to enroll on a degree program at the university but have not attained the required level of English.

GRE/GMAT

Some departments may require students to sit a Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as part of their application process.

Immigration

International students will need to obtain the correct immigration documents before their study program commences, permitting them to live and study in the USA for the duration of their course.

Entry requirements vary between departments and courses. Students are strongly advised to check exact requirements with their department.

Students at Colorado State University enjoy a modern campus complete with a range of state-of-the-art facilities, so it's no surprise that the university has a 92 percent international student satisfaction rate (International Student Barometer, 2023).

Library services

Through its main Morgan Library and its selection of collegiate libraries, Colorado State University offers students unlimited access to:

• Books, journals and digital resources
• Individual and group study spaces
• Computer labs and laptop charging points

Athletics

CSU injects millions of dollars a year into its successful, competitive ‘Rams' athletics programs including (but not limited to) basketball, football, soccer and track and field.

Ultra-modern, hi-tech sports facilities on-campus include:

• The Canvas Stadium
• The Moby Complex, including the recently renovated Moby Arena
• The Anderson Academic Training Center
• A LEED-Gold certified multi-sport indoor practice facility

Accommodation and living

Students can choose to live in CSU's modern residence halls or in a university apartment. These are situated on-campus for convenience.

Also on campus are a number of dining facilities, offering some of the best university food in the country.

Campus buildings

In the past decade, CSU has invested more than USD 1.6 billion into expanding and improving its campus, adding new buildings, laboratories and classrooms and expanding its academic, research and multi-use spaces. It has also invested in sustainable and green resources including an extensive network of bike paths.

Financial Aid

Colorado State University offers a number of scholarships to international undergraduate students every year, ranging in value from USD 2,000 to USD 12,000 per annum. These scholarships are renewable annually, provided students remain in good academic standing.

Graduate students can apply for financial aid to assist in funding their studies. Students are advised to discuss their options with CSU's dedicated Office for Scholarship and Fellowship Advising. Types of financial aid available include grants, scholarships, fellowships and assistantships. Funding opportunities may be obtained through CSU directly or through external organizations.

Scholarships may be offered to students on a merit or needs basis. Students are advised to check specific criteria before applying for financial aid and to ensure they submit their application in advance of the deadline.

Students will be informed if they have been successful in their request for financial aid at the same time as they receive an admission decision. This is usually within 2-4 weeks of submitting the application.

Part-time work

International students at CSU are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus to assist in funding their living expenses.

Orientation

Recognizing that the transition to university life is often a big change for many students, CSU offers orientation and transition programs for new and incoming students to assist with the settling-in process.

On-campus

CSU provides a number of resources to students to ensure they feel supported, guided and cared for during their time at the university. Facilities include:

• Career Center ­– providing general and specific careers advice and guidance
• CSU Health Network – providing medical assistance for both physical and mental health problems
• International Student and Scholar Services – providing support to international students from application to graduation

Learning Communities

CSU students have the opportunity to join a number of learning communities on campus, providing students across all disciplines with the chance to enrich their learning and grow academically, improving key transferable skills and building relationships.

Alumni

After graduation, students become part of CSU's 250,000-strong alumni network. This tightly connected network enjoys the opportunity to participate in events, sports games and activities throughout the year.