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Index: Education / Subcategory: Adult

Higher Education Enrollment and Tuition

Date posted: 08/24/2009

According to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, there are 27 public institutions of higher learning in Colorado. Twelve of these institutions are four-year public institutions and fifteen are two-year public institutions.

Enrollment for the 2009-09 school year at the four-year institutions ranged from a low of 2,110 at Western State College in Gunnison to a high of 30,623 at the University of Colorado - Boulder.

Tuition and fees at the four-year institutions for the 2008-09 school year, ranged from $2,496 (Adams State College) to $9,810 (Colorado School of Mines) for full-time, resident undergraduate students.

FY2008-09 Enrollment and Tuition and Fees for
Full-Time, Resident, Undergraduates

Institution Enrollment Tuition Rates
Adams State College 2,411 $2,496
Colorado School of Mines 4,704 $9,810
Colorado State University - Fort Collins* 25,496 $4,424
Colorado State University - Pueblo 4,633 $3,422
Fort Lewis College 3,740 $2,846
Mesa State College 6,205 $4,325
Metropolitan State College - Denver 21,469 $2,615
University of Colorado - Boulder* 30,623 $5,922
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs* 8,010 $5,580
University of Colorado - Denver* 16,283 $5,484
University of Northern Colorado* 11,130 $3,942
Western State College 2,110 $2,880

*Level and specific programs may vary (Business, Engineering, Journalism, Nursing, etc.)

What this chart shows: Total Enrollment by College or University, Larimer County, 2004-05 to 2008-09

Total Enrollment by College or University, Larimer County, 2004-05 to 2008-09

All enrollment numbers are for fall semester.

Data Source:

See data table

What these data tell us:

Colorado State University is a four-year university and offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral coursework. Front Range Community College is a two-year college and offers undergraduate courses.

Enrollment for both Colorado State University (CSU) and Front Range Community College (FRCC) remained steady over the last five years. According to school officials, the primary reason is that both institutions are operating at capacity and, without additional funding, are unable to admit more students.

Beginning in 2010, FRCC plans on expanding its science building allowing the campus to admit more students, especially those interested in pursuing careers in renewable energy.

What this chart shows: Public and Private College or Graduate School Enrollment by Age and Gender - Larimer County, 2007 American Community Survey

Public and Private College or Graduate School Enrollment by Age and Gender - Larimer County, 2007 American Community Survey

Data Source: 2007 American Community Survey

See data table

What these data tell us:

Larimer County's enrollment in colleges or graduate schools totaled 34,901 in 2007. According to the 2007 American Community Survey, 47% of students in the United States, 15 to 24 years old, are male and 53% are female. The breakdown in Larimer County does not fit that trend; 51% of students 15 to 24 years old were male and 49% are female.

Nationally, 40% of students over the age of 25 are male and 60% are female. Yet in Larimer County, there are significantly more older female students (70%) than older male students (30%).

What this chart shows: Colorado State University Tuition Rates by Academic Year, 1999-00 to 2008-09

Colorado State University Tuition Rates by Academic Year, 1999-00 to 2008-09

Data Source: Colorado State University - Fact Books

See data table

What this chart shows: Rate Change in Tuition by Residency and Student Level, Colorado State University, 1999-00 to 2008-09

Rate Change in Tuition by Residency and Student Level, Colorado State University, 1999-00 to 2008-09

Data Source: Colorado State University - Fact Books

See data table

What these data tell us:

Students considered residents of Colorado by the
CSU Admissions Office pay the resident tuition. Those considered not to be residents of Colorado pay the nonresident tuition. See additional information to understand how CSU evaluates residency status. Tuition rates for all CSU students have increased over the last ten years. The rate for resident graduate students increased 109% from $2,694 during the 1999-00 school year to $5,621 during the 2008-09 school year. This was the largest percentage increase among all tuition rates at CSU.

With respect to undergraduate tuition, the largest dollar increase was in nonresident undergraduate student tuition, an increase of $10,114 over the ten-year period.

If the rate of increase continues as it has, a resident undergraduate can expect to pay $8,366 for tuition in the 2016-17 academic year.

Additional Information:

Colorado State University - Qualifying for Resident Tuition

Until a student is 23 years old or legally emancipated, tuition classification is based on the parent/legal guardian's state of residence. Obtaining Colorado residency requires at least 12 months continuous presence in the state prior to the first day of classes, as well as evidence indicating the intent to make Colorado the permanent home (such as a driver's license, vehicle registration, payment of Colorado state income tax and other forms of proof). [Admissions - Qualifying for Resident Tuition].

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Colleges or Universities located in or near Larimer County

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Standards or Targets:

Data Table:

Enrollment by College or University

  Colorado State University Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus Total
1999-00 22,782 3,804 26,586
2000-01 23,098 3,862 26,960
2001-02 23,934 4,161 28,095
2002-03 24,735 4,487 29,222
2003-04 25,042 4,750 29,792
2004-05 25,382 5,116 30,498
2005-06 24,947 4,887 29,834
2006-07 24,670 5,092 29,762
2007-08 24,983 5,336 30,319
2008-09 25,011 5,205 30,216

See chart

Public and Private College or Graduate School Enrollment by Age and Gender -
Larimer County, 2007 American Community Survey

 

United States

Colorado

Larimer County

Male Female Male Female Male Female
Public college or graduate school

6,747,643

8,594,132

117,684

147,311

15,542

19,359

15 to 24 years 4,326,337 4,906,095 76,545 81,474 12,444 12,074
25 and over 2,421,306 3,688,037 41,139 65,837 3,098 7,285
Private college or graduate school

2,382,436

3,069,575

31,324

38,151

1,374

884

15 to 24 years 1,376,318 1,693,641 12,553 14,916 552 544
25 and over 1,006,118 1,375,934 18,771 23,235 822 340
Not enrolled in college or graduate school

108,329,060

111,601,172

1,793,476

1,739,771

101,619

98,325

15 to 24 years 16,366,326 14,162,932 259,628 218,897 13,100 12,623
25 and over 91,962,734 97,438,240 1,533,848 1,520,874 88,519 85,702

See chart

Colorado State University Tuition Rates by Academic Year

 

Resident

Nonresident

Undergraduate Graduate Undergraduate Graduate
1999-00 $2,340 $2,694 $10,026 $10,460
2000-01 $2,408 $2,772 $10,428 $10,878
2001-02 $2,502 $2,880 $10,944 $11,412
2002-03 $2,655 $3,058 $11,925 $12,438
2003-04 $2,908 $3,350 $13,380 $13,955
2004-05 $2,940 $3,386 $13,527 $14,109
2005-06 $3,381 $3,690 $14,343 $14,958
2006-07 $3,466 $4,248 $14,994 $15,642
2007-08 $4,040 $4,887 $17,480 $16,425
2008-09 $4,424 $5,621 $20,140 $17,253
Ten Year % Increase

(1999-00 to 2008-09)

89%

109%

101%

65%

See chart