CSU student running across football field with giant CSU flag

At Colorado State University, we’re proud of our rankings, but we’re even prouder of the hard work they represent. After all, shouldn’t a ranking mean more than a number?

Here are just a few university-wide rankings that reveal the most about CSU and what we value.

Overall quality

From academic programs to student retention and more, CSU earns recognition from numerous national publications. People often see these rankings as a barometer to assess a school’s overall quality.

Skyline of the foothills with CSU buildings in foreground

#1 Four-Year College in Colorado

For cost to attend, efforts to ensure student success, and program prominence.

Top 28% National University

For contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.

Best Southwestern Colleges

For being among 630 universities nationwide considered academically outstanding and well worth consideration in a college search.

Top-Producing Fulbright Scholar Institution

For the number of scholars awarded Fulbright awards, an honor for faculty members who receive scholarships to study, teach, conduct research, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.

Top 35% Public School

For quality of programs in both undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as the commitment to both reinvest in campus and to increase student retention.

Top 7% Colleges with the Best Professors

For diverse, accomplished, and well-paid faculty members based on student reviews and key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education.

Top 11% College Campus in America

For outstanding campus resources across classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food, and recreational facilities, based student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Top 21% Colleges with the Best Academics

For admissions selectivity, professor quality, and academic resources, based on data from the U.S. Department of Education and reviews from students and alumni.

Top 35% National University

For many factors including graduation rates, peer assessment, financial resources, and faculty salaries.

Top 18% Public Universities in America

For quality of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education plus reviews from students and alumni.

Best Colleges

For being among 389 best colleges nationwide, based on survey results from students answering questions about academics, life at college, fellow classmates, and themselves.

Top 16% Best College and Test-Optional College

Based on academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni.

B+ Overall Grade

For quality of academics and professors, value, student-faculty ratio, quality of campus food and housing, diversity, safety, student life, and more.

Sustainability rankings

Composting and recycling programs. Sustainability majors and minors in every college. We’re even Bee Campus USA certified and have our own bee cam. We work hard to maintain our title of greenest university.

Biking and walking along sidewalk

STARS Platinum Rating

One of 10 doctoral universities worldwide recognized for comprehensive sustainability efforts, including environmental, social and economic dimensions. CSU is the first university in the world to earn this rating four times.

Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly University & City

For bicycle network and connectivity, motorist awareness and bicycling skills, mainstreaming bicycling culture, promoting safety, and planning.

#4 Top Performer

For being a top worldwide doctoral university in overall sustainability impact, including curriculum, research, campus and public engagement, and well-being, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

Bee-Campus Certified

For helping to ensure a better future for pollinators. CSU is among just 107 campuses in the nation — and the only one in Colorado — with this certification. Psst … check out our bee cam.

Top Green College

For being one of 40 institutions out of almost 700 reviewed to receive a perfect score and #14 in the nation for a healthy and sustainable quality of life for students on campus, how well we prepare students to live and work in a sustainable world, and superb environmental policies.

Tree Campus Recognition

For being one of 400+ colleges nationwide with a framework to care for their community forests, including a tree advisory committee, a tree care plan, a dedicated budget, observation of Arbor Day, and student service projects.

Student-focused rankings

Colorado State creates a welcoming and vibrant environment for its students, empowering them to do more and be more throughout their time at CSU and beyond.

Three students eating ice cream

Top 8% Student Life in America

For a positive, fun, and friendly student culture and a vibrant campus community, based on student reviews and statistics from the U.S. Department of Education.

#25 Best Quality of Life

Based on student ratings of the beauty, safety, and friendliness on campus, among other ratings.

Top 22% College Food in America

For outstanding on-campus dining, including easily accessible healthy, quality food across a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences, based on meal plan costs and student reviews.

Top 13% College Athletics in America

For the best college athletic programs for sports fans and student athletes based on key statistics and student reviews.

#16 Best College for Vets

And #1 in the central U.S. for university culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality, and cost and financial aid.

#11 Peace Corps Volunteer-Producing College

For being one of the top 25 Peace Corps volunteer-producing colleges and universities between 2003 and 2023, with 1,778 total volunteers in a decade.

Fort Collins rankings

Located in the heart of Fort Collins, CSU wouldn’t be CSU without our amazing city. Fort Collins regularly rates as one of the best places in the country to live and learn.

Concert in downtown Fort Collins with lights on at dusk

#3 Best College Town to Live in Forever

For a thriving economy and culture that make a city perfect for a long-term commitment

Best Place to Live

For being among 100 small to mid-sized U.S. cities for the city’s economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health.

Top 15% Bike Network

For quality and connectivity of a city’s bike network including protected bike lanes, off-street paths, slow shared streets, and safe crossings that enable people to comfortably bike around a city.

#1 Most Peaceful City in the U.S.

For low noise levels and access to outdoor spaces like parks in cities with the best quality of life in the country.

#1 Best Place to Live in Colorado

For best places in Colorado to live, analyzed using key lifestyle factors including median home price, personal income per capita, and unemployment and crime rates.

#1 Safest City for Bike Commuters

For bike-related fatalities, miles of protected bike lanes, bike theft claims, state laws protecting bikers from drivers, and more.

Top 15% Best College Locations in America

For college towns that offer excellent nightlife, dining, recreational opportunities, and cultural attractions, based on key statistics and student reviews.

#23 Best Place to Live in the U.S.

For being one of 150 most-populated metro areas to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market, and a high quality of life.

We have top academic programs, too

See just how much students can get out of their major at CSU.