Higher Education Enrollment and Tuition

Date Updated: 12/03/2012

According to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, there are 28 public institutions of higher learning in Colorado. Thirteen of these institutions are four-year public institutions and fifteen are two-year public institutions.

Resident, undergraduate enrollment for the 2011-12 school year at the four-year institutions ranged from a low of 1,491 at Western State College in Gunnison to a high of 22,590 at Metropolitan State College - Denver.

Tuition and fees at the four-year institutions for the 2011-12 school year, ranged from $4,834 (Metropolitan State College) to $14,454 (Colorado School of Mines) for full-time, resident undergraduate students.

FY2011-12 Enrollment and Tuition and Fees for Full-Time, Resident, Undergraduates
Institution	Enrollment	Tuition Rates
Adams State College	2,441	$5,627
Colorado School of Mines	3,623	$14,454
Colorado State University - Fort Collins*	21,584	$8,042
Colorado State University - Pueblo	4,612	$6,269
Fort Lewis College	2,448	$5,592
Colorado Mesa University (Mesa State College)	7,920	$6,548
Metropolitan State College - Denver	22,590	$4,834
University of Colorado - Boulder*	20,080	$9,152
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs*	8,524	$7,894
University of Colorado - Denver*	15,862	$7,702
University of Northern Colorado*	10,044	$6,624
Western State College	1,491	$5,504
*Level and specific programs may vary (Business, Engineering, Journalism, Nursing, etc.)

Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education (Enrollment) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (Tuition Rates)

What this chart shows: Total Enrollment by College or University, Colorado State University & Front Range Community College, Fall 2002 to Fall 2011

Data Sources:

• Colorado State University - Colorado Department of Higher Education
• Front Range Community College - Institutional Research

See data table

What the above 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 at Colorado State University (CSU) has remained relatively steady over the last ten years. Since 2002, enrollment at CSU has declined in 2 years: 2005 (1.9%) and 2006 (1.1%). Student enrollment increases have fluctuated between 0.4% (2009) and 3.2% (2002).

Front Range Community College (FRCC) has experienced more variation in enrollment over the past ten years. Whereas enrollment increased 7.6% at CSU over the last ten years, enrollment at FRCC increased 43.5%.

It is likely the downturn in the economy is responsible for the recent increases in enrollment as more unemployed adults look to update skill sets and families try to maximize their education-related expenses.

What this chart shows: Degrees Awarded* by College or University, Colorado State University & Front Range Community College, 2002 - 2011

*Associate Degrees and higher.

**Data represents all Front Range Community College campuses.

Data Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Overall, the number of degrees awarded by Colorado State University (CSU) and Front Range Community College (FRCC) has increased 26.0% since 2002. The increase has been greater (60.1%) for FRCC than it has been for CSU (20.6%). The higher cost of tuition at CSU, combined with adults returning to school for retraining, is likely the cause for this increase. In addition, more students are apt to stay in school if there are no good paying jobs available to them.

What this chart shows: Public and Private College or Graduate School Enrollment by Age and Gender - Larimer County, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Data Source: American Community Survey (Table B14004)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Larimer County's enrollment in colleges or graduate schools totaled approximately 40,392 in 2011. According to the 2011 American Community Survey, 46% of students in the United States, 15 to 24 years old, are male and 54% are female. The breakdown in Larimer County is similar where 47% of students, 15 to 24 years old, are male, and 53% are female.

Nationally, 42% of students over the age of 25 are male and 58% are female. In Larimer County, the division is slightly closer with 45% older male students versus 55% older female students.

What this chart shows: Colorado State University Tuition Rates by Academic Year, 2003-04 to 2012-13

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, 2003-04 to 2012-13

Data Source: Colorado State University - Fact Books

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Students considered residents of Colorado by the Colorado State University (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 151% from $3,350 during the 2003-04 school year to $8,392 during the 2012-13 school year. This was the largest percentage increase among all tuition rates at CSU.

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

• Aims Community College - Loveland and Greeley locations
• College America - Fort Collins Campus

• Colorado State University - Fort Collins
• Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus
• Regis University - Fort Collins Campus
• University of Northern Colorado - Greeley
• University of Phoenix - Fort Collins Learning Center

Related Information on COMPASS -

• Dropout Rates (High School)
• Educational Attainment
• High School Graduation Rates

Other Resources -

• College in Colorado
• College Opportunity Fund
• Colorado Commission on Higher Education
• Colorado State University - Fort Collins, Colorado
• Colorado Department of Higher Education
• Front Range Community College - Institutional Research
• Planning for College - Information for students, parents and educators including admissions testing, choosing and applying to schools, and applying for financial aid.
• U.S. Department of Education - Federal Pell Grant Program

Industry Standards or Targets:

N/A

Data Tables:

Enrollment by College or University

Fall Semester	Colorado State University	Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus	Total
2002	25,139	4,487	29,626
2003	25,392	4,750	30,142
2004	25,768	5,116	30,884
2005	25,287	4,887	30,174
2006	25,014	5,092	30,106
2007	25,382	5,336	30,718
2008	25,496	5,205	30,701
2009	25,893	5,838	31,731
2010	26,598	6,328	32,926
2011	27,055	6,437	33,492

See chart

Degrees* Awarded by College or University

Spring Semester	Colorado State University	Front Range Community College - All Campuses	Total
2002	5,121	819	5,940
2003	5,339	901	6,240
2004	5,261	911	6,172
2005	5,651	1,081	6,732
2006	5,780	1,068	6,848
2007	5,474	1,011	6,485
2008	5,665	1,038	6,703
2009	5,811	1,010	6,821
2010	6,090	1,120	7,210
2011	6,176	1,311	7,487

*Associate Degrees and higher

See chart

Public and Private College or Graduate School Enrollment by Age and Gender -
Larimer County, 2011 American Community Survey

	United States		Colorado		Larimer County
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Public college or graduate school	7,833,178	9,993,371	147,350	174,755	18,183	20,663
15 to 24 years	4,895,066	5,664,052	83,370	91,215	13,269	14,849
25 and over	2,938,112	4,329,319	63,980	83,540	4,914	5,814
Private college or graduate school	2,600,309	3,437,972	35,678	44,886	528	1,018
15 to 24 years	1,358,135	1,721,570	12,888	15,885	126	210
25 and over	1,242,174	1,716,402	22,790	29,001	402	808

See chart

Colorado State University Tuition Rates by Academic Year

	Resident		Nonresident
	Undergraduate	Graduate	Undergraduate	Graduate
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
2009-10	$4,822	$6,464	$20,744	$18,116
2010-11	$5,256	$7,434	$21,366	$19,022
2011-12	$6,307	$7,992	$22,007	$19,592
2012-13	$6,875	$8,392	$22,667	$20,572
Ten Year % Increase (2003-04 to 2012-13)	136.4%	150.5%	69.4%	47.4%

See chart - Tuition Rates by Academic Year

See chart - Rate Change in Tuition by Residency and Student Level

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