About Colorado State University Pueblo
Students pay an average net price of $12,948 after financial aid, making this one of Colorado's more affordable university options. Graduates earn a median salary of $55,563 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $21,500. The monthly loan payment of $228 is manageable given the solid employment rate of 94.7%. For students from lower-income families, the net price drops to just $9,687.
The campus serves a diverse student body that's 36.16% Hispanic and draws heavily from Colorado with 83.60% in-state enrollment. ThunderWolves compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports with $2.8 million in athletic scholarships available. The challenge here is persistence: only 38% of students graduate within six years, though those who stick with it find decent career prospects in Colorado's growing economy.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 47.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 36.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 38.0%
- Retention Rate
- 65.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,563
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $96,539 |
| Engineering, Other. | Bachelor | $61,303 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,967 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $57,318 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $54,254 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $44,091 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $43,957 |
| Education, General. | Master | $40,281 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $37,568 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $36,674 |
Campus Life
Weekends often revolve around ThunderWolves athletics, with 555 student-athletes competing across 17 Division II sports in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The 83.6% in-state student body gives the campus a distinctly Colorado feel. Students gravitate toward Pueblo's Historic Arkansas Riverwalk for outdoor activities or head to nearby skiing in winter. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class discussions, while the engineering programs attract students seeking hands-on learning. Many students work part-time jobs in Pueblo's mix of healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries, balancing academics with real-world experience in this affordable college town.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 699 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1933
Campus Safety (2023)
8 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 15°–48°F
- July Avg
- 61°–93°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 13.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 28.3"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 47.1%
- Women
- 52.9%
- White
- 41.7%
- Black
- 6.2%
- Hispanic
- 36.2%
- Asian
- 1.9%
- In-State Students
- 83.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 27.9%
Location
- Address
- Pueblo, Colorado 81001-4901
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,563
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $54,133
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Colorado State University Pueblo?
Colorado State University Pueblo accepts 98.79% of applicants, making it highly accessible to students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 900-1150 on the SAT. This open-access approach reflects the university's mission to serve regional students in southern Colorado.
How much does Colorado State University Pueblo cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $12,948 per year after financial aid. In-state tuition starts at $9,401, while out-of-state students pay $17,242. About 28% of students receive Pell Grants, helping make this regional university affordable for working-class families.
What is Colorado State University Pueblo known for academically?
The university is recognized for its engineering programs and maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. With 3,028 students enrolled, CSU Pueblo offers the personalized attention of a smaller institution. The semester system allows students to dive deep into coursework in this focused academic environment.
What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Colorado State University Pueblo?
The six-year graduation rate is 38%, with graduates earning a median salary of $55,563 ten years after enrollment. The employment rate reaches 94.7%, showing strong job placement despite the regional focus. Students typically graduate with $21,500 in debt and monthly loan payments of $228.
Where is Colorado State University Pueblo located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Pueblo, Colorado, a mid-size city in the southern part of the state. On-campus housing accommodates 699 students, with room and board costing $11,596 annually. About 84% of students come from Colorado, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.
Does Colorado State University Pueblo have strong athletics programs?
The ThunderWolves compete in NCAA Division II as part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The university fields 17 varsity sports with 555 total athletes competing. Athletic scholarships total $2,792,617, demonstrating significant investment in sports programs that help define campus culture.
