All CSU System universities grew enrollment in Fall 2025

All three Colorado State University campuses saw enrollment increases this year, with notable gains among Colorado residents and students from rural areas. Student access and success gains were also seen across all three CSU System institutions – showcasing that CSU as the state’s land grant system provides direct connection and benefit to people and communities across Colorado.

Total enrollment across the System is 44,807.

CSU Fort Collins
This fall, the flagship campus in Fort Collins enrolled more students than ever before, led by its largest class of Colorado residents since prior to the pandemic. CSU also set new records for student success, with growth in first to second year retention and the four-year graduation rate climbing to an all-time high.

Entering class
The CSU System’s flagship campus in Fort Collins welcomed 5,376 first-year students this fall, the largest Colorado resident entering class since before the pandemic.

• 32% of the class identify as racially or ethnically diverse
• 27% are first-generation students
• 9% are rural Colorado residents
• Median high school GPA: 3.72

Total enrollment
CSU’s total enrollment reached an all-time high of 34,412. The record-breaking total enrollment at CSU was driven by a 4.3% increase in CSU Online students, record-high retention, and steady growth in several colleges. Undergraduate enrollment rose slightly, while graduate enrollment declined by 1.9%, largely due to decreases in international students.

• The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering had the largest growth, with an increase of 289 students (7.8%).
• The College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences grew by 145 students (6.9%).
• Retention reached a record 87.9% from first to second year.
• The four-year graduation rate hit a record 50.9%, and the six-year rate rose to 66.6%.

“We’re off to an impressive start this year,” said CSU President Amy Parsons. “CSU now has the largest student body ever, and our record-high retention rates reflect the support our students receive and the excellence of our academic programs. During a time when many institutions are facing enrollment declines, CSU’s growth speaks to the value students and families see in a CSU education. It’s a testament to the collaborative work of our Enrollment and Access team and to our faculty and staff’s dedication to student success.”

CSU Pueblo
CSU Pueblo’s total enrollment continues to grow at a steady rate with increases in online, rural, and out-of-state students. The university also welcomed one of its largest freshmen classes ever.

Entering class
CSU Pueblo welcomed 731 new freshmen, a 21% increase over Fall 2024 – the largest incoming class in recent history.

• Overall, new undergraduate, including transfer enrollment grew by 9%.
• Nonresident freshmen nearly doubled from last year, expanding the university’s geographic reach.

Total enrollment
CSU Pueblo’s total enrollment increased by 3% this fall to 3,847 students, marking continued progress toward the university’s goal of 4,000. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 4%.

• CSU Pueblo Online enrollment increased by 2%, continuing steady growth since 2017.
• Rural enrollment rose by 8%, with 382 rural students this fall.
• Graduate enrollment declined 4%, but the number of students enrolled in 3+2 (bachelor’s + master’s) programs held steady at 71. Those students are counted as undergraduates.
• A federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), CSU Pueblo’s student body is 40 % Hispanic/Latinx, and 54 % identify as racially or ethnically underrepresented.

“It is exciting to see CSU Pueblo’s momentum – particularly among our first-year and nonresident students,” said Kristyn White Davis, vice president of Enrollment Management. “We are building
sustainable enrollment growth while staying true to our mission of access and support for the people of Pueblo and Southern Colorado.”

CSU Global
Unlike CSU’s residential campuses, CSU Global is a fully accredited online university tailored to the needs of working professionals and post-traditional learners.

New student enrollment
CSU Global has rolling monthly start dates, with fall new student enrollment reflecting students who began classes during July, August, and September – about one-quarter of the annual enrollment cycle.

• In the first three months of the fall trimester, CSU Global welcomed 2,015 new students to its online learner community.
• Over 30% of new students recruited in the fall enrollment period are from Colorado.
• 77% of new students enrolled in this period are aged 30 and above.
• Over 10% of those recruited in fall are military affiliated.

Total active student enrollment
CSU Global’s total active student enrollment remains strong, with the fall trimester serving 13,239 active students across undergraduate and graduate programs and non-degree pathways.

• The university provides flexible online programs, with a 25% increase in the number of students pursuing full-time schedules during the first two terms of the fall trimester.
• CSU Global saw significant gains among certain racially minoritized groups, with a combined increase of 20%, as well as among its youngest and oldest age brackets, which increased by a combined 26%, showing increased engagement for both newer and more seasoned members of the workforce.

CSU Global is dedicated to serving a student body from a variety of backgrounds and providing career-connected education that leads to measurable return-on-investment. As part of its annual data collection, its 2025 survey of CSU Global program completers revealed that students one year post-program completion saw 11-46% increases in their median incomes, depending on the program. Additionally, students five years post-program completion saw 46-82% increases in their median incomes.

“CSU Global continues to lead as a model for flexible, career-connected education that provides an ROI on learner time and tuition,” CSU Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker said. “We are committed to helping learners re-skill and upskill alongside our industry partners, ensuring students can access high-quality education and key student support services from anywhere in the world as they help their organizations and industries succeed in today’s increasingly dynamic environments.”

About the CSU System
The three CSU System campuses, and the out-of-state students they attract in an average year, fuel about 25,000 Colorado jobs and about $238 million in state income and sales tax revenue annually. The campuses – the flagship research university in Fort Collins; CSU Pueblo, a regionally focused Hispanic-Serving Institution; and the fully online CSU Global – together enroll more than 50,000 new and returning students each year.